MARGAO: The All India Congress Committee Secretary in-charge of Goa desk, Dr Chella Kumar on Sunday sent a clear message that Congress party is not for any individual and has no place for ego politics, even as the Goa Pradesh Congress Party (GPCC) rubbished reports appearing in a section of the media that its State president John Fernandes has been sacked from the post.
The party leadership in Delhi is also keeping a close watch on the development unfolding in the Goa Congress, sources said. Both the AICC general Secretary Digvijaya Singh and Secretary Dr Chella Kumar are in close touch with party leaders, especially with the anti-John camp mounting pressure on the removal of the GPCC chief. The party leadership is believed to have told the anti-John camp not to precipitate matters, promising that AICC President Sonia Gandhi is soon expected to take a call on the fate of the GPCC President.
Dr Kumar told Herald over the telephone on Sunday evening that John Fernandes continues to be the GPCC president till date, confirming that no order has been issued till Sunday evening replacing him from the position.
He, however, was categorical in saying that the Congress party is not for an individual and the party is functioning based on an ideology. “There is no place for any ego politics in the party. A leader is expected to take all the party workers into confidence and not indulge in ego politics,” he said, while saying that he has received several phone calls from Goa from aggrieved party leaders over the suspension orders issued by the GPCC chief.
Sources in the know said that AICC General Secretary Digvijaya Singh has tried to sooth ruffled feathers in the anti-John camp, saying that the party leadership is seized of the ongoing developments in the party triggered by the orders suspending former Power Minister Alexio Sequeira and South Goa district party president Subhash Faldesai.
The anti-John camp has exuded confidence that the party High Command will soon take a call on the new GPCC president. In fact, suspended party leader Alexio Sequeira was on record on Friday that both the AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh and Dr Chella Kumar have put in their reports to the party leadership for the removal of the GPCC president.
Meanwhile, Congress’ Goa spokesman Durgadas Kamat said he was shocked to read the news in local media Sunday. “Reports about sacking of John Fernandes are totally baseless,” he said.
While Herald reported on moves to replace Fernandes, another local English daily carried a news report stating that Congress President Sonia Gandhi has sacked Fernandes as GPCC chief amidst moves to replace him with Luizinho Faleiro.
The party has issued a formal statement in the morning which states that “the news has been planted by some anti-party activists and disgruntled elements. Goa Pradesh Congress Committee condemns the news and requests the press to kindly confirm any news from the Party office,” the statement reads.
When contacted, Fernandes said that the news might be an off shoot of several strict measures adopted by him to cleanse the party. “I have been going by the High Command’s order to take action against those who are working against the party,” he said. Fernandes, soon after the Lok Sabha poll debacle had offered to resign from the post taking responsibility, however the party High Command had asked him to wait till they take a decision.
