PANJIM: Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament and senior Congressman Shantaram Naik is the front-runner for GPCC president, by the High Command.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday met AICC secretary and Goa desk in-charge Dr Chellakumar and Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavalekar.
Interestingly, while the Goa leadership was in Delhi Mr Luizinho Faleiro received a call from 10 Janpath late Monday night, when he was hosting a dinner for the Navelim Lions Club members and their families at his residence, to meet AICC president Sonia Gandhi shortly after noon. Faleiro rushed to Delhi by a morning flight and drove straight to 10 Janpath – where his resignation and issues arising out of it and the political situation in Goa was discussed. Mr Faleiro said “All I can say is that yes I was called and I met madam and discussed obvious issues. I also met the Vice President Rahulji.”
Meanwhile during the hour-long meeting held with Mr Chellakumar and Babu Kavalekar with Rahul Gandhi several names were discussed as successor to Faleiro. They include Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik, former Law Commissioner Ramakant Khalap, MLA Ravi Naik, AICC secretary Girish Chodankar, GPCC general secretary Adv Yatish Naik, ex-MLA Agnelo Fernandes and new party member and Industrialist Datta Naik.
Sources confirmed that Shantaram Naik’s name is on top of the list as the new GPCC chief. The order is expected latest by Thursday afternoon.
Speaking to Herald Shantaram Naik said “No decision has been taken. I have been heard by Rahulji as I had sought an appointment to meet him.”
When contacted, Kavalekar informed about the meeting with Gandhi and confirmed the names that were discussed.
“We had discussions on five-six names. The order appointing new GPCC chief will be issued either on Wednesday or by Thursday afternoon,” he said.
The party will hold elections for the State unit president and vice-president, along with the executive committee, between September 16 and October 15, this year.
Faleiro had tendered his fresh resignation to Congress President Sonia Gandhi last month.
