MARGAO, JAN 18
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat along with Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Subhash Shirodkar and Public Works Department Minister Churchill Alemao left for the national capital after they were summoned by the high command to discuss the host of issues, including the Nationalist Congress Party’s demand to drop its two ministers from the cabinet.
The trio will also discuss with the high command party matters, including appointment of the GPCC president and other matters relating to the party organisation.
When contacted, the chief minister said he is visiting the national capital to participate in the meeting convened by the Union finance minister with chief ministers of various States on Wednesday. “I am going to Delhi to attend the meeting convened by the Union Finance Minister on Wednesday as part of the annual budget exercise”, Kamat said, adding there is no specific political agenda during his visit to the national capital.
The GPCC president, however, admitted that he is leaving for Delhi after being summoned by the high command to discuss the NCP’s demand and other issues connected with the coalition. Saying there is no change in the position of the party legislators vis-a-vis opposition to the induction of NCP legislator Mickky Pacheco in the Kamat ministry, Shirodkar said that he would convey the sentiments of the legislators to the high command during his meeting.
It is not exactly known why the PWD minister has been called to Delhi, with reports saying that he might have been called as the party leadership is likely to announce the party president for Goa.
Sources in the know informed that the PWD minister, who headed the G-10 to oppose the induction of Pacheco in the Kamat ministry, is likely to insist with the party leadership in Delhi to respect the sentiments of the Congress MLAs.
When contacted on late Tuesday night, Alemao said his position on the issue and the demand by the group of 10 legislators is well known, adding that he would meet the party functionaries either tonight or on Wednesday.
