Disciplinary Committee meeting today; discussion likely on Mauvin, Babush, Aleixo, Sardinha, Joaquim, Valanka
TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM/MARGAO: Stacks of complaints including anti-party activities against some of the party leaders and office bearers reported during the parliamentary polls that concluded last month, will be scrutinized as Congress’ disciplinary action committee holds its first meeting on Monday.
The seven-member committee headed by Goa Pradesh Congress Committee chief John Fernandes is also expected to serve notices to all those accused of working contrary to the party’s interest during the Lok Sabha campaign. These leaders will be identified during the in-camera meeting scheduled to be held at the party headquarters in Panjim.
Party sources told Herald that they received several complaints against senior party leaders, who either withdrew themselves from the campaign or worked against the party’s candidates in north and south Goa.
“Allegations of anti-party activities against some state leaders during the Lok Sabha campaign will be probed. They will be served notices and possibly asked to testify in person before the disciplinary panel,” a source revealed.
The DAC will also investigate party leaders for silently working against the party either willingly or under pressure from rival political parties. “There were instances when our ward agents were kept out because a game-plan was already set against us. They will be investigated,” Fernandes said refusing to state whether action will be taken against them.
The meeting will also have attendance of six members comprising leader of opposition Pratapsing Rane,
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Jitendra Deshprabhu (executive committee official and DAC convenor), Akbar Mulla, Pratima Coutinho, Sunil Kawthankar (DAC secretary) and Vaman Chodankar (ECO). A detailed report will subsequently be submitted to Fernandes, being the GPCC president, within one week. Sources said the panel will also fax the complaints to the party high command to keep the party leadership in Delhi abreast of the developments.
Fernandes said, “DAC will take a stock of the situation. We cannot malign anyone’s image before taking action. Let the report be ready.”
It is reliably learnt that Dabolim legislator Mauvin Godinho, St Cruz legislator Atanasio (Babush) Monserratte and Goa Pradesh Youth Congress Committee president Valanka Alemao are amongst a few others who will be probed. Former South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha could also figure in the list for making anti-party statements and refraining from campaigning for the party after being denied a ticket to re-contest. Godinho had also stayed away from canvassing for south candidate Aleixo Reginald Lourenco.
The panel has received two complaints each against Joaquim Alemao from Cuncolim, two complaints against Francisco Sardinha, around 10 complaints against Valanka, besides complaints against Alexio Sequeria and Godinho. It is learnt that the Youth Congress members are believed to have addressed complaints against Valanka to the GPCC chief for action.
No breach of rules allowed: John
Congress’ disciplinary action committee chairman John Fernandes has warned of taking disciplinary action against its members, if they are found leaking details of the in-camera meeting to the public or media. Speaking to Herald he said the DAC is equivalent to a jury and as such, every member is bound to maintain discipline. “If any member is involved in breaching the rules and regulations of the DAC, he/she will face disciplinary action and will be dropped from the committee,” Fernandes said. He said the DAC chairman or GPCC president are authorised to speak about the meeting, after the entire procedure is complete.
