THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
In a setback to the Congress, its Santa Cruz Block President John Nazareth resigned from the post with immediate effect, blaming growing resentment among party workers over recent leadership decisions and the manner in which they were taken.
In his resignation letter addressed to Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar on Wednesday, Nazareth said he was stepping down after finding it increasingly difficult to function without the support of Block Committee members and Booth Level Agents (BLAs). He said that neither he or block committee members and BLAs were taken into confidence before inducting former AAP chief Amit Palekar into the party and his likely candidature from the constituency.
Nazareth further said the subsequent replacement of former GPCC president Amit Patkar had worsened the situation. "Most of the party workers, Block Committee Members and BLAs find it difficult to digest the sudden change and are not co-operating in further activities of the party," he wrote.
The outgoing Block President also conveyed the sentiment of several party workers that the Santa Cruz Assembly constituency, which has historically elected MLAs from the minority community, should continue to be represented by a minority candidate. While stating that he personally found it "difficult to endorse such minority-majority theory," he said he could not ignore the prevailing views within the constituency.
He also cautioned the party while selecting its future candidate, stating that "utmost care may be taken to field a credible candidate considering that two consecutive defections have already taken place and there should not be a hat trick."
"In view of the above mentioned reasons, I cannot continue as a Block President... when I don't get co-operation from the Block Committee members and the BLAs being disillusioned," Nazareth stated.
Despite resigning from the organisational post, Nazareth affirmed his loyalty to the Congress, saying, "I will always remain as a foot soldier of the party and work for its success."
