Save the sinking ship of Goa congress; plea of grassroot workers

Panaji :

Congress grassroot workers in Goa have made a plea to the All India Congress Committee Co-Incharge for Goa Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar to immediately change the leadership in Goa and save the party from complete collapse. Citing non-accessibility and non-availability of president Amit Patkar and leader of opposition Yuri Alemao, Congress workers pin pointed to Dr. Nimbalkar that both leaders did not undertake a single statewide tour of all constituencies.

Congress workers in Velim demanded that there should not be any alliance with any political party for upcoming Zilla Panchayat elecetions. In Sanquelim constituency, Congress workers openly questioned the fragile leadership of president Amit Patkar and appealed high command to change the leadership forthwith. Sentiments of workers in Cuncolim meeting were not different. Workers raised issue of non-availability of local MLA and leader of opposition Yuri Alemao and complained that he hardly visits the constituency. Workers expressed dissatisfation on failure of Alemao to do justice to the position he is holding.

Goa Incharge Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar was on a three day tour of Goa from 15th February to 17th February and conducted meetings in Mormugao, Dabolim, Sanquelim, Paryem, Valpoi, Velim and Cuncolim. Meetings in St.Andre and Navelim were abruptly called off last minute due to organisational differences, sources said.Senior vice president M K Shaikh accompanied Dr. Nimbalkar in all meetings.

Congress president Amit Patkar, leader of opposition Yuri Alemao, MLAs Adv. Carlos Ferreira and Altone D’Costa remained away from all the meetings. South Goa MP Capt. Viriato Fernandes was present for the meeting at Dabolim. It is learnt that Dr. Nimbalkar was upset as the leaders did not attend the meetings nor met her to discuss on organisational matters. She was puzzled over the future of Congress in Goa as workers questioned commitment and loyalty of top local leaders, it is learnt.

Meanwhile, Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar also took stock of the failure of the Public Accounts Committee chairman Altone D’Costa and Public Undertaking Committee chairman Yuri Alemao to prepare reports and present them in the assembly. Many office bearers and workers had raised this issue and complained to the high command that both MLAs did not prepare the reports intentionally and adopted go slow tactics in last two years. Workers also complained to high command against the leader of opposition Yuri Alemao for his complaint to the Speaker of Assembly and summoning editors of various newspapers for publishing articles on failure of PAC and PUC to function effectively.

Congress workers have strongly demanded to Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar to move swiftly and bring in change in leadership in Goa. They have made a plea to handover leadership to experienced and loyal Congressman who will take everyone together, sources said.