Trouble brewing within Cong over constitution of GPCC BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, SEPT 11 — Ravi Naik may have asserted his authority as the president of the party in constituting the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) but trouble seems to be brewing. The South Goa MP Churchill Alemao on Sunday reacted angrily to the constitution of PCC and Pradesh Election Committee announced by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) yesterday in New Delhi.
“I am very unhappy over the manner in which the constitution (of PCC) has been done”, Alemao said firing the first salvo. “I am an elected leader of a parliamentary constituency consisting of 21 assembly constituencies but I have not been consulted on the constitution of PCC”, Alemao charged taking up cudgels against Ravi Naik. The other reason for his outburst is also the inclusion of some Congressmen in the PCC. “How can Altinho Gomes be given high positions in the party?”, he asked. Gomes was named one of the six general secretaries of the party yesterday. Interestingly, Gomes was appointed a general secretary nearly two months ago and his name was retained as per the announcement made by the High Command. According to one report, Altinho Gomes’ name also figures in the Pradesh Election Committee. Alemao also expressed his resentment over the appointment of Rupa Bhakta as the new treasurer of the party. When pointed out that the appointments have been made after clearance by the High Command, Alemao said it is “name sake”. “How do they know all the members included in the PCC”, he shot back indirectly implying that the constitution has been made by the Party President Ravi Naik himself. The PCC office bearers are nearly 20 in number while the executive is of 27 members. Pernem MLA Jitendra Deshprabhu who finds no place in the PCC is also learnt to be quite hurt. No MLA except Ravi Naik figures in the PCC. Hitherto, Deshprabhu was vice-persident and so was Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes. Ravi Naik, on the other hand, has said that the constitution has been done in consultation with the High Command and due care was taken to give representation to all sections of the society.