PANAJI
The Congress has admitted to lapses on its part even as it has insisted that it has been cheated of an opportunity to form the government.
Vishwajit Rane, who was among the most infuriated by the party leadership’s indecisiveness, explained that it was their delay that cost them.
“We should have declared the CLP leader immediately as we were already in discussion with Goa Forward Party and many other groups but we could not revert to them on who our leader is even after 24 hours,” Rane lamented.
“So there have been lapses on our part. Congress has been given a full majority, may be not all 21 but we are close to majority. So we should have been given the opportunity to form the government. The right to form the government is for anti-BJP forces. But today if you see everybody else has got together forming the government with the party that has got only 13 seats,” he added.
He however expressed some hope that all is not lost for the Congress.
“It is the leadership on the whole which is to be blamed. I don’t think they acted wisely. In Goa it’s never too late. Goa politics changes by
the hour. So there is no guarantee what can happen in the next 24 hours. But if they are forming the government, we are ready to sit in the Opposition and face them. We are a big group now. We have reached from 9 to 17 and we are all united,” he insisted.
Earlier in the day rumours were flying thick and fast that the Congress was about to witness a breakup
with some suggesting that as many as six elected Congress MLAs were seeking an exit from the party.
The rumours were quickly quelled by the Congress Legislature Party leader Kavlekar.
“There is absolutely no truth in the news that we are splitting up. We are all together. Yesterday there were some differences and in anger
several members spoke out against the party, but that has been settled,”
Congress’ Antonio Fernandes, whose name was among those doing the rounds as having made up his mind to quit the Congress has also shot down the rumours. “There is no truth in it. People are simply spreading rumours,” Fernandes said.
