Panaji (Goa): After failing to form the government in the State despite being single largest party in the assembly election, the Congress party in Goa feels “the moral of cadres would be high following appointment of Shantaram Naik as State party chief.”
“The party cadres were demoralized as despite having numbers in the assembly, Congress could not form the government after 2017 Goa Assembly polls,” All India Congress Committee Secretary Girish Chodankar said.
“Naik’s appointment will boost confidence of the cadres as their morals will now be high. Outgoing GPCC Chief Luizinho Faleiro had fulfilled his target of winning on highest number of seats in Goa election,” he said.
The Congress party which is getting readied to face two by elections in Panaji and Valpoi constituency respectively also expects the strengthening of its units under leadership of Naik.
“We are going to face two by-elections, one in Panaji and another in Valpoi constituency. The appointment of Naik will help in rebuilding our team in these constituencies which will help us to win at both the places,” Chodankar said.
He said that the party has already initiated membership drive across the State which will get boost with the appointment of Naik, who is known for his loyalty across the cadres.
Current Rajya sabha member of parliament Naik, who was appointed as Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President yesterday, will replace Luizinho Faleiro, another senior leader and former State Chief Minister.
The by-election in Panaji constituency is necessitated after BJP legislator Siddharth Kuncolienkar resigned as a member of legislative assembly to pave way for chief minister Manohar Parrikar to contest there. Parrikar had not contested recently held 2017 assembly election.
In Valpoi constituency, then Congress MLA Vishwajit Rane had resigned as member of the House to join BJP, where he is currently inducted as State health minister.
Chodankar said that the last elections had shown that Congress party’s ideology is again being accepted in the state. “The appointment of Naik will help the party to get more people attracted towards its ideology,” he added.
State leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said that Naik’s appointment is crucial as he is having years of experience at his side. “Like Faleiro, Naik too is a loyal party leader and having loads of experience which will help the organization grow in the State,” Kavlekar said.
He said Naik’s stint as Member of Parliament on different occasion including that in Rajya Sabha will certainly be a big asset to party’s local organization.
Team TNV
