Wanted: leader for UGDP
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, JUNE 23
The United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) appears in total disarray, with its lone legislator Babush Monserrate finally embracing the Congress and the regional outfit desperately on the look out for a leader who can lead the party ahead of the 2012 assembly polls.
Party leaders knows for sure that the party need to poll minimum six per cent of the total votes in the coming assembly polls or face de-recognition by the Election Commission.
Ask party Secretary General Adv. Anacleto Viegas and he admits that the problem facing the party is to re-organise the regional outfit in a big way to serve the State and its people. “The UGDP wants a leader who is committed towards the organization and dedicated to the cause of the State. Most of the present leaders are professionals and part-time politicians”, he said.
In fact, since the party was formed by Raghurai Thamba in the early 90’s, the regional party has been literally lying dormant over the last one year, since the party tasted defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.
Viegas admitted that neither the party presidium nor the executive Committee nor the general body of the outfit has ever met since the Lok Sabha polls, when its candidate Matanhy Saldanha failed to make a mark. In fact, the party leaders have been virtually silent on major issues facing Goa and Goans over the last one year.
Explaining the situation, the party secretary general says only a dedicated leader can help steer the party out of the present state of affairs. “We are on the look out for a leader who will work to reorganize the party”, he said.
Incidentally, this is not the first time that its legislators have deserted the party and joined the Congress. In fact, since the 1994 polls, the party has seen its legislators deserting the party and joining hands with the Congress. And, the trend continued with every election in the last decade and half, with party leaders unable to stop the exodus for varied reasons. “Leaders who have left the party over the years had no dedication for the State. They have no commitment for the State. They are only after power”, Viegas said.
But, when pointed out that many of these legislators who had left the party were re-elected on other parties, Viegas replied “These leaders have got re-elected because of the blatant use of money power.
“PWD Minister Churchill Alemao, Revenue Minister, Jose Philip D’Souza, former Tourism Minister, Mickky Pacheco, besides the education minister were all part of the UGDP at one point of time, only to desert the regional outfit to join the national parties.
But, Viegas says the party has a future and would successfully overcome the problems plaguing the outfit. “The UGDP is a people’s party. The party may face de-recognition, but I can say with confidence that the people of Goa would save the Two Leaves symbol”, he said.
