PANAJI
In a apparent move to reboot party organisation ahead of upcoming electoral battles, the Congress on Friday replaced Amit Patkar as Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president and brought back senior leader Girish Chodankar to lead the State unit.
The leadership reshuffle, announced by AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal, marks Chodankar’s return to the top post he had previously held.
While formally thanking Patkar for his 'dedicated service to the organisation', the AICC simultaneously unveiled an entirely recast leadership structure for Goa.
Three Working Presidents -- M K Shaikh, Altone D’Costa and Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira -- are appointed alongside Chodankar in an attempt to balance regional and community representation within the party structure. Datta Naik was named Treasurer.
The Congress also reshuffled its strategic committees. Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao is appointed Chairperson of the Campaign Committee, while South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes will head the Manifesto Committee.
Veteran Congress leader and former Union Minister Francisco Sardinha is named Chairperson of the Co-ordination Committee, while Sunil Kawthankar has been appointed Co-Chairperson.
