VASCO, JUNE 30
Expressing surprise over his appointment as the new State Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president, Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza has vowed to rebuild the party and strengthen it further in the State at the grass-root level.
Speaking to Herald on the sidelines of the inaugural function of HP Gas Rasoi Ghar at New Vaddem on Wednesday, D’Souza said he was surprised over his appointment and it could be due to his working ability and the potential to take the party to further heights, which could have worked to appoint him as the new party president.
“It is a big responsibility for me. The Central party supremo Sharad Pawar and others have faith in me and they know my working capability, due to which they have given me such a big responsibility,” added D’Souza.
Listing his priority being party president, he said he would put his efforts to reunite party workers and bring them back into party fold to strengthen the party further.
He said he would collectively work to strengthen the party and take it to the grass-root level.
When asked whether the party was passing through a difficult phase in the wake of former tourism minister Mickky Pacheco’s resignation, he shot back saying that the party has never been in a difficult phase, especially after the Pacheco’s resignation.
“The party has taken high moral ground in asking Pacheco to tender his resignation and he gracefully accepted the party decision. His episode won’t have any impact on party image,” added D’Souza.
When asked about feuds between the ruling coalition Congress-NCP as to how he would tackle if such a situation resurfaces again, he said: “Coalition government is like a family. You point out which family is without any dispute. We have to resolve our issues across the table with love and affection,” said D’Souza.
When asked whether he will be able give justice to his ministry and party when he has been given the responsibility of two high profile posts, he said: “Obviously there will be some pressure, when party high command has decided that I’ll be able to do my job efficiently, then there are no two opinions on it,” added D’Souza.
He said he is prepared to handle the pressure because he knows to handle it with proper planning and coordination from party workers.
