Shantaram resigns, ready to shoulder advisory role

the goan I network
PANAJI 
Former Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik on Tuesday submitted his resignation as the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president to All India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi.  
Speaking to The Goan, Naik said, “I have formally submitted my resignation to Rahul Gandhi and I have sent a copy to Sonia Gandhi. I have taken this step after being inspired by Rahul Gandhi’s speech at the AICC plenary session on March 18. He spoke very convincingly about the need to infuse young blood in the organisation.”  
When asked about his plans along these lines for GPCC, Naik said, “I would very much like the next GPCC president to be a young party member, who has been with the party for at least 10 years and who is committed to the idea of Congress. Capacity can be strengthened but commitment and loyalty can never be cultivated.”  
The then sitting Rajya Sabha member of Congress, Naik had assumed responsibility as GPCC president on July 8, 2017 at a ceremony organised at the Congress House in Panaji.  
The senior Congressman had then hinted that the new role would be the last innings in his long political career.  
“I had thought of my last innings in politics when I had retired as the Rajya Sabha MP. I had decided back then that I would dedicate my political experience to organization building. But I was asked to shoulder the responsibility as GPCC chief,” Naik said adding that he had now requested AICC to relieve him and permit him to remain with the party in an advisory capacity.
“My services will always be readily available to Congress,” he stated.