TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: The Congress party appeared undecided whether to contest the ensuing Zilla Panchayat polls on party lines; however, it has made it clear that the party will fight against the government decision to hold the ZP poll on party lines.
When Herald contacted Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Luizinho Faleiro to shed light on reports that the Congress may not contest the poll on party lines, Faleiro said the party has not yet taken any decision on the subject.
He, however, was categorically clear that the Congress will fight the elections and the Ordinance as well in the run up to the election. “We have petitioned the Governor not to sign the Ordinance as and when promulgated by the government. Even President of India Pranab Mukherjee has expressed his concern with the government resorting to ordinances in the last six months,” Faleiro said.
“We are yet to take a call whether or not to contest the ensuing ZP polls on the party banner. But, we will fight out the election. Congressmen in the past had fought the ZP polls and the Congress had even ruled the two zilla panchayats,” he said.
Slamming the cabinet decision to issue an ordinance to hold the ZP election on party lines, Faleiro said that the government has taken a decision without consulting the stake holders and without devolution of powers to the zilla pancahayts. “A delegation of the Congress party will call on the government to protest the government decision to hold the ZP election on party election via the Ordinance route.
Replying to a question, Faleiro said that the Congress had initiated the process to devolve powers and functions to the Zilla Panchayats when he was the Chief Minister, adding that the entire process was grounded after the new government came to power.
