PANJIM: Minutes before campaigning for the Panjim by-election ended on Monday, Congress added a twist to the poll, in a bit to woo the voters, expressing the possibility of making their Panjim candidate Girish Chodankar as the next chief minister, once he wins the election and the party forms the government.
“If elected, Girish will be a very strong candidate within the Congress Legislative Party for the post of Chief Minister,” All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and Goa desk in-charge Dr Chellakumar told media persons.
“I will be very happy to see him as the Chief Minister although the decision is ultimately made by the Congress Legislative Party and is announced by the high command,” he said.
Chodankar, is also a core member of the Rahul Gandhi team. He was a former Youth Congress President. “Girish has worked his way up from the party grassroots to the post of AICC Secretary. He has knowledge about national politics and also about Goan politics,” Chellakumar said. The AICC leader said Chodankar has always stood by secular principles and been strongest critic of the ruling BJP.
Former Union Minister Ramakant Khalap also hinted at Chodankar being their Chief Ministerial candidate. “Congress will form the government after winning both the seats for by-election,” he said. Responding to a question as who will be their Chief Ministerial candidate, Khalap said “Why not Girish?”
Reacting to the same, Chodankar said he has never thought of becoming the Chief Minister but would take up any responsibility that party gives. “I am a small worker of the party. I have followed every order given by the party high command. I will take up any responsibility the party wants me to,” he said.
