PANJIM: If in 2012, it was Vishwajit Rane, who led the outbursts against the Congress, and succeeded in getting seven tickets from the Congress for his candidates, only to lose five constituencies.
It is now Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar, who has been leading the attack against his own party.
Sources point out that during the past four-and-half years Madkaikar did not utter a word against the misrule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) but has suddenly woken up and started an onslaught against his own party, aiming to join the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP).
This, sources say, was to support the BJP’s ally MGP, a party with which he has a long connection. Madkaikar started his political career as a Youth Congress leader but then joined the MGP. He again joined the Congress in 2007 and ten years later appears set to join his old party MGP.
Congress office-bearers feel the High Command has to take serious note of such tactics and threats, which cannot be acceptable. “The party cannot be used as a punching bag,” an office bearer said.
Congress sources reveal that Union Ayush Minister Shripad Naik’s son is set to contest from Cumbharjua constituency and hence the MLA has decided to join MGP to check this move. “If the MGP has an alliance with BJP, it will demand for the Cumbharjua seat and it would be a clear road for Madkaikar. Hence, he has opted to switch loyalties,” a party source said.
When contacted, Madkaikar said, he has not taken any decision to leave the Congress. “I want the party to prepare a roadmap and strategy how we will form the government. I am still a Congressman,” he said.
On his frequent outbursts, he said, “I want them to improve and form the next government. We as MLAs have made commitments to people and cannot always sit in the Opposition.”
On rumours, he admitted he has offers from BJP and MGP but has not taken any decision.
With about five months to go for the elections, the Congress has been hit badly by infighting and outbursts of its MLAs.
From being the single largest party in 2007, the Congress was reduced to single digit in 2012 purely due to unwanted outbursts by its MLAs and leaders. Congress office bearers said this has to be stopped by the High Command if the party has to make any impact or think of obtaining an absolute majority.
