Goa Cong will have new leadership: Digvijay
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 03 July 2013 18:56 IST
Digvijay Singh addressing the media
During his maiden visit, Goa in-charge Digvijay Singh clearly stated that the party would have a new leadership and even bring back those who had left the party but believe in Congress ideology.
After addressing the party workers in the city today, he told media persons that the main challenge before him is to strengthen the party with new leaders who believe in the party ideology laid down by Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.
Besides AP and Karnataka, Singh has also been allotted responsibility of Goa where the Congress suffered a major setback in last 32 years as it could not even win one fourth of seats – only nine out of 40.
“Congress has faced such debacles in 1977 and 1989, but has risen back to its past glory on the basis of its organized structure and dedicated cadres”, Singh said.
He also clarified that Goa PCC president Subhash Shirodkar has already resigned after the election results last year and the party leadership at the centre would take an appropriate decision on the resignation.
“We want to get all the people back to the party fold who believe in inclusive politics and the party ideology”, said Singh, giving clear indication that talks would begin with those who had left the party.
He also made it clear that the Congress is not interested in toppling the government but respecting the people’s mandate to sit in the opposition.
What if the BJP-led government falls on its own?
“Not our fault”, he said, but did not wish to elaborate whether the Congress would take it as an opportunity to form alternate government.
Singh however said the party would take up issues that concern the people and affect the development of Goa.
“A general secretary cannot, it is up to the local leadership to play the role of a constructive opposition”, he said, when pointed out that the local leaders don’t speak in one voice.
Opposition leader Pratapsing Rane, GPCC chief Subhash Shirodkar, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha, former union minister Eduardo Faleiro and AICC secretary Girish Chodankar were present on the dais.
Singh was also assisted by secretary for Goa, A Chella Kumar.
Former chief minister Digambar Kamat, former ministers Churchill Alemao, Aleixo Sequeira and Vishwajeet Rane were among the prominent leaders seen at the meeting, besides other sitting MLAs.
