Jose Philip quits NCP leadership
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 7
Endings days of suspense, Nationalist Congress Party State unit president Jose Philip D’Souza tendered his resignation from the post after the ugly public brawl with another party MLA Mickky Pacheco.
Pacheco had claimed he was assaulted by D’Souza’s supporters while the latter charged that Pacheco was trying to poach on his supporters by distributing money prior to municipal polls.
Incidentally, D’Souza’s resignation came hours before the NCP fact-finding team was to submit the report to the party high command.
After the spat with Pacheco, D’Souza had said he will submit his resignation to NCP supremo Sharad Pawar in New Delhi after the municipal councils are formed.
“Today, Jose Philip faxed his resignation letter to NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and also NCP leader Praful Patel,” sources in the party told Herald.
This week, Party high command had commissioned its general secretary Prakash Bhinsale on a fact finding mission.
D’Souza had also expressed his desire to quit during his meeting with Bhinsale, who will submit the report to high command on Monday.
When contacted, D’Souza confirmed the development but refused to give much details.
“Yes I have resigned but I have not given any reasons,” D’Souza.
Indirectly referring to Pacheco’s comments that he would not work under him, D’Souza said, “If Pacheco feels that he can take the party ahead, I am happy for him,” he said adding that he would recommend Pacheco as next Goa unit chief.
Party sources claimed that D’Souza was called by NCP national leader Praful Patel and he held discussions with him over Goa incident.
