Cong may not deny tickets to rebels for Goa Assembly polls

PANAJI, APRIL 10: With the Congress party in Goa on a mission to win the Assembly elections, expected in May, at any cost, it is rethinking on its earlier promises to deny tickets to defectors. Three of its former legislators – former deputy CM Dayanand Narvekar, Subash Shirodkar and Deu Mandrekar were responsible for the downfall of the Congress government led by Pratapsinh Rane. The trio returned to the Congress late last year and helped prop up the short-lived Faleiro government.

Former CM, Luizinho Faleiro who was appointed Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president on Wednesday at a press conference in Panaji toned down his criticism of defectors who are now seeking tickets from the Congress Party. Replying to questions from media persons Faleiro refused a direct answer on nominations of defectors by the Congress party. “I personally favour clean candidates,” Faleiro said. Defending the party’s decision to admit all comers into the Congress Faleiro said, it was essential to strengthen the party.“However a decision on allotting the tickets will be taken by the High Command”, he said.

Dwelling on the party’s strategy for the elections Faleiro informed that Congress workers should reach out to the people at the grassroots level to understand their problems. According to him, the Congress would revolve around the slogan, Discipline is the mantra and service is the weapon.’ Faleiro said he would highlight the success of his janata durbars’ when senior government officials accompanied the Chief Minister to hear the grievance of the people.