Team Herald
PANJIM: In what can be construed as a move to clear the anti-party sentiments brewing amongst voters of Siolim constituency, Goa Forward Party (GPF) resolved to remove Durgadas Kamat from the post of Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Fisheries and Water Resources Minister Vinod Palyekar. The party has also resolved to relieve Dilip Prabudesai, who is currently OSD to TCP Minister Vijai Sardesai.
While GFP claims that Kamat is being relieved from the post essentially to ensure that he dedicates himself towards strengthening the party, sources confirm that the move is due to the growing unrest and anger amongst the party cadres, especially from Siolim constituency. On the other hand, Prabudesai has apparently requested that he be relieved as OSD as he wants to focus on the party.
The decision to relieve Kamat and Prabhudessai as OSD was unanimously taken at the party’s political affairs committee meeting chaired by Sardesai on Tuesday. The meeting was also attended by Palyekar, Minister Jayesh Salgaonkar and Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate.
“After a lot of deliberation on organisational matters it was decided to strengthen the party organisation. Hence, it was unanimously decided that the two OSDs – Durgadas Kamat and Dilip Prabhudesai – be relieved from their present position and be drafted for party work,” GPF chief spokesperson Trajano D’Mello told media persons.
“During the meeting, we realised that the party is not going forward, the way it should. We needed more people to work for the party. Prabudesai and Kamat have always been the backbone of the party and hence it was necessary to get them back to work for party full-fledged,” D’Mello added.
He refuted media claims that Kamat is being shunted out following pressure from the party cadres, who are unhappy with his way of functioning. “There is nothing as such,” he stated.
While Kamat remained unavailable for comments, Palyekar refusing to comment expressed surprise saying, “Is it? My OSD is removed? I am not aware. No file has come to me.” He declined to speak further.
Kamat, a former Congressman had joined GFP ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections. He was party general secretary and was later appointed as OSD to Palyekar.
Earlier this month, during a meeting of GFP workers from Siolim, held to galvanise the party, the workers demanded Kamat’s removal from the post accusing him of blocking works and restraining them from meeting the Minister. Sardesai and Palyekar were present during the meeting.
Apparently, the WRD Minister’s brother Uday Palyekar too was unhappy with Kamat’s working style and during the meeting openly told the leaders to take a prompt decision to avoid anger brewing among party workers.
“Right from the beginning there were complaints about Kamat from the workers from various constituencies. Party had to take call on it as we cannot ignore our workers sentiments,” a source said.
