PANAJI
Congress party office bearers, including All India Congress Committee general secretary Digvijay Singh, AICC secretary Dr Chella Kumar and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Luizinho Faleiro, on Thursday took strong objection to the presence of Surendra Furtado at the meeting of North Goa Block Congress Committee and asked him to leave the office.
The block committee review meeting began only after Furtado exited, it was informed.
Pointing out to Furtado’s alignment for Corporation of City of Panaji elections with Antanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, who was expelled from Congress for six years in March 2015 by AICC for anti-party activities during the Panaji bye-poll, Congress party in-charge of CCP elections and Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar refused to allow Furtado to attend the meeting.
Incidentally, Furtado continues to be an office bearer of GPCC executive.
Sources disclosed that Furtado, who entered the room declaring ‘I am the next man’, was not even allowed to assume a seat.
“AICC Secretary Chella Kumar asked Surendra who had complained against Babush and demanded his expulsion. He also asked Surendra who had foiled his Assembly poll ambitions during the Panaji by-polls last year,” it was informed.
Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane, Francisco Sardinha, GPCC general secretary Agnelo Fernandes and Sunil Kawthankar were among the Congressmen who were present for the meeting.
Meanwhile, another meeting of all 21 candidates contesting CCP polls on United Panaji Front, the Congress-backed panel, was held at Congress House.
Speaking to The Goan, Madkaikar informed that the meeting was called to brief the candidates on campaigning. “While some candidates have begun campaigning individually, the panel will officially launch its campaign on Friday at 6 pm,” he stated.
