TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: A day after the “soft launch” of what is touted to be the BJP’s preparations for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls by sticking BJP stickers on doors of their perceived supporters, the Congress Party top brass including Central leaders held as many as four meetings at block level, with what is believed to be talks for the new State president.
Speaking to Herald, Sudharshan Reddy ~ the party’s central observer in the state said that the party as of date was concentrating on strengthening the party’s base in the state.
“We are holding a series of meetings in various constituencies and trying to strengthen their base,” Reddy said.
When asked about the change of guard in the state leadership that is pending since the election debacle last year, Reddy said that they were deliberating on the issue.
“[A] decision on [the appointment of a new] GPCC president is under consideration,” Reddy said adding such change of guard decision have to be taken not just in Goa, but in seven other states as well.
Commenting on the recent verbal tussle between Rahul Gandhi and Gujarat Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Reddy stoutly defended the Congress Vice President.
Reddy joined battle against Modi and criticized his statements on Rahul Gandhi and Lal Krishna Advani’s on the Babri Masjid demolitions.
“Most unfortunate,” Reddy told media after the meeting reacting to Advani’s statement, “everybody knows about the Babri Masjid demolition… In a secular country like India…,” Reddy said.
On Modi he said: “Modi is politicizing the issue. Nobody has to teach us about patriotism and mother India.”
Reddy condemned the outbursts against Rahul Gandhi’s speech at CII and called Modi’s comments “politically motivated, far from the truth and a publicity gimmick.”
“The veteran BJP leader and ex-prime minister A B Vajpayee’s comments during the Godhra riots are enough to understand the credentials of Modi,” Reddy said.
At the meetings the Congress leaders came down heavily on the “anti people policies” of the ruling BJP government.
He said that with the Congress back at the helm in the CCP is the first step to the downfall of the BJP.
“Congress win in the CCP is a first step towards victory and strength,” he said confident that the party would return to power in the centre. GPCC President Subhash Shirodkar was present at the meetings.
