MARGAO
Velim constituency has come under the scanner of political observers as the stage is finally set for the induction of former Velim Independent MLA Benjamin D’Silva into the Congress fold.
With the Congress clearing all decks for Benjamin’s entry into the party fold, and after his meeting with AICC Goa desk In-charge, Dinesh Gundu Rao on late Wednesday, Benjamin is set to join the party with his supporters at the Congress house in Panjim.
Sources said the former Independent MLA, who had supported the Manohar Parrikar government after the 2012 Assembly election, wanted to join the party in the presence of the AICC Goa desk in-charge, but could not do so with the party taking a policy decision that those who want to enter the party should do so either at the district or state offices.
Benjamin’s scheduled entry into the Congress has come at a time when South Goa district Congress president Joe Dias and Velim Sarpanch Savio D’Silva had emerged as front runners for the party Velim ticket. In fact, the duo had made their presence felt in the constituency in recent days, organizing the party ahead of the 2022 electoral battle.
Sources said while GPCC Chief Girish Chdodankar is believed to have called up the district Congress Chief Joe Dias on the programme scheduled in Panaji on Friday, party vice-president MK Sheikh was trying to contact the Velim party leaders and workers, informing them about Benjamin’s entry into the party on Friday.
The Goan understands that Benjamin’s entry into the party fold was cleared by the Congress high command over a month ago, but he has been waiting for party leaders to arrive in the state to join the party.
Sources, however, informed that party leaders from Velim are believed to have opposed plans by the former Independent MLA to join the party in the presence of Dinesh Gundu Rao during his visit, which was cut short on Wednesday night, on grounds that welcoming Benjamin by party top functionaries will give him an undue advantage while staking claim for the ticket.
That Benjamin is all set to join the party became apparent when he called on Dinesh Gundu Rao at the Margao hotel late Wednesday evening.
State Congress leaders, including GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar has been on record saying Benjamin’s entry into the party is unconditional, with leaders saying that no promise, whatsoever has been made to the former MLA in respect of the ticket.
