Navhind Times

Panaji, May 20: The issue of public utterances by the coalition partners of the Congress party led-Goa government, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Nationalist Congress Party, was hotly debated on Friday at the joint meeting of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee and the Congress Legislature Party.

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Ravi Naik told reporters after the meeting that many party members expressed resentment against the public utterances of MGP and NCP leaders and demanded that action should be taken against those going against the coalition principles and making unilateral announcement.

Naik said that the utterances have confused the party workers and they want the party leadership to take a firm stand on the issue and take action against those disregarding principles of coalition politics. He went on to add that the CLP leadership has been urged to take a final decision on the issue.

Meanwhile, sources in the party said that chief minister Pratapsingh Rane, expressed helplessness in stripping the Public Works Department Minister, Mr Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, of his portfolio, saying that it was the commitment made to him and others, by the party high command who joined hands with Congress to form government in the state.

The sources also said that town and country planning minister Atanasio Monserrate and education minister Luizinho Faleiro opposed any action against the coalition partners at this juncture.

The sources in the party further stated that a number of Congress leaders want party to go alone in the next assembly elections, if the coalition partners continue to attack the government and do not adhere to coalition principles.

Naik also said that the issue of preparation for the next assembly election was also discussed at the joint meeting and leaders and gave their suggestions on the issue. He, however, went on to add that elections will be held as scheduled in May 2007. The GPCC president also said that the meeting also discussed the preparations for observing the death anniversary of Rajiv Gandhi, on May 21.

He further said that the meeting of co-ordination committee of the coalition partners would be held soon, adding Margaret Alva, who heads the committee will visit the state in the near future. He also said that the meeting was not held due to Alva's pre-occupation in the election process in five states.

He also said that he would be soon visiting the national capital after May 21, adding that he would personally convey his greetings to All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi, on her recent election to the Lok Sabha with a huge margin from Rae Bareli.

Answering a question on the hunger strike by former MLA Dilkush Dessai, he said that he was not aware the reason behind the strike and that he would make inquiries into the matter.