Q: When You took over leadership of the Congress party last year, expectations were high that the Congress may return to power since you enjoyed excellent relations with members of the coalition partners supporting the BJP-led government.
Shantaram Naik: Yes, I shared a good rapport with the members of the ruling coalition partners, but the question of forming an alternate government was never discussed with the leaders. The issue of government formation was never taken up with the like-minded parties during my tenure, may be because the time was not ripe to form an alternate government. May be some of the party MLAs had discussions on this aspect at their individual level.
Q: Of the two regional parties, whom would you have preferred to do business with -- Goa Forward Party or the MGP. This is one question Congress party leaders have declined to answer till date.
SN: I have no comment to offer. The question of seeking the support of like-minded parties and individuals will arise only in the event the government crumbles. I feel the party will cross the bridge when it comes to it as far as doing business with the regional parties and individuals is concerned.
Q: Do you think the BJP will allow the Congress to form an alternate government in Goa when the stakes are high for the party, more so in view of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
SN: I am of the opinion the Congress should form an alternate government only if it has clear numbers on its side. I am confident the courts will intervene if the BJP plays mischief when the numbers are not on the side of the coalition.
Q: Your decision to quit the GPCC president has raised many an eyebrow. While you have attributed your decision to the Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s call to veterans to make way for the young blood, rumours were rife that you were told to resign.
SN: There’s no truth in these reports. These are just rumours floated by vested interests. Those who were with me at the AICC plenary session are a witness to my decision to quit the post after Rahul gave a call to the old guard to make way for the young blood.
May be there are certain vested interests who do not want to give credit to me for taking the decision.
Q: You say you have quit the post precisely to make way for the young blood to take over the party reigns. But, as it has turned out, a host of party veterans have lined up to take over the reigns of office.
SN: I have made my position very clear that I have decided to step down to make way for the young people to take over. I have also stated that those who want to take over the position should have minimum years of party work behind them, besides their love for the party.
Q: Don’t you think that the very purpose of your resignation will be defeated if any of the party veterans are appointed for the top party slot.
SN: I have no comments to offer, but the fact remains that I had decided to step down from office to make way for the young. The party leadership in Delhi is seized of the leadership issue and have already set in motion the process to shortlist the candidates. I am confident the party leadership will settle for the right candidate in the interest of the party.
