the goan I network
MAPUSA
A meeting of the Goa Forward Party workers from Siolim to galvanise the party turned into a Durgadas Kamat Hatao campaign, with several party workers demanding the ouster of the Officer on Special Duty and Personal Assistant of the Water Resources Minister Vinoda Paliencar.
Leading the ouster campaign was Assagao Sarpanch Jalindar Goankar, who accused Kamat of blocking works initiated by him.
"Many of the works in our village have got stuck due to the attitude of the minister's PA. Kamat blocks files of our work. The minister may not be aware of it, but it's a reality," Gaonkar said.
He further said former minister, Dayanand Mandrekar, never blocked work of the village and called for immediate removal of Kamat as the PA of the minister.
The Water Resources minister's brother, Uday Paliencar, also appeared unhappy with Kamat's working style and openly told the leaders to take a prompt decision to avoid anger brewing among the party workers.
"The party workers are unhappy and the leaders should take an appropriate decision before there is split among our workers," Uday Paliencar said.
Goa Forward's Siolim Block Vice President Ashok Vernekar expressed shock that he was not invited for the meeting.
"During the assembly election campaigning, no one in Siolim was ready to provide space to hold meeting for the minister. I had personally given my shops. Three complaints were also filed against me by the opposition," Vernekar said.
Agitated party worker demanded to take a resolution for immediate ouster of Durgadas Kamat to save the party in Siolim.
Sizing up the mood of the party workers, Town and Country Planning Minister and Goa Forward Party
leader Vijai Sardesai, who was present for the meeting, acknowledged the workers sentiments and assured to take appropriate decision in the matter.
"Our party is a local party and we stand for Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn. There is no need to take a resolution on the issue. We will take appropriate decision as per your wish," Sardessai said.
It was party's internal meet: Paliencar
MAPUSA: Refusing to commit on the demand for removal of his PA, Water Resources Minister, Vinod Paliencar said it was an internal party meeting of the Goa Forward Party and media had no business to poke its nose in the internal affairs of the party.
"It was an internal meeting of the party. No media persons were invited for
the meeting. We will handle the issue...," Paliencar snapped at this reporter on the phone.
Taking the same line, the OSD to the minister, Durgadas Kamat said it was an internal meeting of the party.
"I don't want to comment on that. My leader (WRD minister) is there. He will do the needful," Kamat said when prodded a little further.
