MARGAO
Launching a scathing attack on Deputy Chief Minister Chandrakant Kavlekar for misusing Section 16-B to bring about wholesale conversion of land, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief Girish Chodankar on Friday exuded confidence that the party will retain the Quepem Assembly seat in the 2022 Assembly election.
He told the media that the Deputy Chief Minister, who holds the Town and Country Planning portfolio, had once accused then TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai that cases under Section 16-B were not cleared as per case to case basis, but suitcase to suitcase base. “The same allegation has now come to haunt Kavlekar as there’s a wholesome conversion of land taking advantage of the 16-B provision,” he said.
Chodankar, however said people of Quepem constituency are bracing up to bring about a change in the constituency in the 2022 election. “I am confident that people of Quepem constituency will help the Congress retain the seat, but minus Kavlekar. The Congress-turned-BJP MLA has become weak in Quepem after becoming the Deputy Chief Minister. He is not just inaccessible to the people of Quepem constituency, but has failed to meet the aspirations of the people,” he added.
Saying the perception of the people of Quepem has now changed in favour of the Congress, the GPCC chief said one gets an insight into the pulse of the people when one enters the constituency. “He has promised so many things while embracing the BJP, but the people are still questioning him over the empty promises,” he added.
Meanwhile, the GPCC chief said the party is now concentrating on strengthening the blocks and the booths ahead of the 2022 Assembly election. “Almost all the Congress blocks are in place, barring Shiroda and Cortalim. We have started interactions at the block and booth level to understand the local issues and how to contribute in building the block,” he said, adding that he along with Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat will visit each and every block in the next one month.
On candidates selection, Chodankar said the party will shortlist 3-4 candidates in every constituency, saying the party leadership will then zero on the right candidate ahead of the election.
