the goan I network
MARGAO
The issue had stirred a hornet’s nest in the Congress camp after Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Luizinho Faleiro called for an opinion poll days after Digvijaya’s purported remarks at a media briefing that the party is not against casinos.
In fact, Faleiro tried to bring the casino issue to the centrestage at party meetings held at Shiroda and Cuncolim, calling for an opinion poll on the contentious issue, saying that gambling has made Goa the vice capital of the country.
That’s not all. At Cuncolim, Faleiro had gone to the extent of saying that the Congress election manifesto will be drafted in Goa itself and not by the Delhi leaders, thus dropping a clear hint that the local Congress party will not blindly accept views and opinions on contentious issues affecting Goa and Goans.
Sources in the Congress camp stated that Digvijaya’s statement on casinos also provided the much need fodder for his opponents within the party to direct their ire at him. It is learnt that the AICC general secretary had to face criticism on social media after his comments on casinos.
Sources said that Digvijaya is expected to inaugurate the three-day Congress Seva Dal convention scheduled at Fatorpa village on September 23. Though the convention is expected to focus on the preparedness of the party to face the coming Assembly election, the AICC General Secretary may have to come clear on the casino issue at the function. Sources further said that the Digvijaya may also attend the meet of presidents of all 40 blocks on September 24 in Panaji, which is expected to prepare the road map for the launching of the party’s door-to-door campaign in October.
