Navhind Times

Panaji, May 23: The decision on change of leadership of the Goa pradesh Congress committee will now be taken only after the visit of all-India Congress committee general-secretary, Margaret Alva to the state in the first week of June 2006.

Goan leaders camping in New Delhi, including Ravi Naik (the GPCC president), Atanasio Monserrate (Town and Country Planning Minister), Digambar Kamat (Power Minister), Joaquim Alemao (Urban Development Minister), Agnelo Fernandes (Calangute legislator), etc today met Congress leaders, including Alva, and apprised them of party situation in Goa.

According to sources in the party, the Congress high command has told Goan leaders that the situation would be studied by the party’s central leadership, after Alva presents a report after visiting the state in early June, and decision on the demand for change will be taken only after proper assessment.

Naik told The Navhind Times that no decision has been taken yet on any change in leadership. He further said that it was for the party high command to decide on any change and that no indication has been given so far by the central leadership of the party to that effect. Monserrate, who returned to the state along with Fernandes in the afternoon, told this paper that he met all concerned in decision making and apprised them of the party situation and what needs to be done to improve its image. He described the talks with central leaders of the party as “fruitful”.

He disclosed that he has put forward his claim to lead the Congress in the state and that he expected a decision in that regard to be taken soon by the high command. He also said he was happy with the outcome of the meeting and that everything was moving in right direction.

Monserrate further said that he could not meet AICC president Sonia Gandhi as his appointment with her coincided with an urgent meeting of the United Progressive Alliance, which she was attending, and that he had to rush back to Goa to attend to personal commitments.

Meanwhile, the Goan leaders who met Alva told her of the problems they and Congressmen were facing due to certain actions of the coalition partners in the state government.

Fernandes brought to the notice of Alva that newly-formed Coastal Regulation Management Authority was harassing the poor people carrying repairs of their age-old houses in his constituency by issuing them notices on the charges of violation of Coastal Regulation Zone rules. He also raised the issue of harassment to shack owners.

He further said that Alva promised to look into the matter and raise the issue with the Chief Minister, Pratapsing Rane, to resolve the matter.