Team Herald
PANJIM: Claiming to have been inspired by the speech of Congress National President Rahul Gandhi, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Chief Shantaram Naik on Tuesday resigned from his post paving the way for a younger generation leader to take over.
Naik sent his resignation to Gandhi on Tuesday morning ending his stint as Goa Congress chief that started on July 8, 2017 when he replaced senior party leader Luizinho Faleiro. Naik was then the Rajya Sabha MP.
“I was inspired by the speech by Rahul Gandhi during the plenary session of the party in Delhi. During the session the entire stage was empty and only those who were delivering the speech used to go up and do it from the podium. Everyone including Sonia Gandhi was off the dais,” Naik said.
“When Rahul Gandhi went to deliver the speech, he said the stage is kept empty so as to let the younger generation take over the reins. My resignation is to make way for the young leadership to take over,” he added.
During his eight month tenure, Naik failed to revamp the party. Sources reveal that under his leadership, the PCC met just twice and was attended by less than 20 people. On the other hand, he was seen attending Congress legislative party meetings.
“Nobody was happy with the way Shantaram was performing. His performance as party president is zero. We are now hopeful that a new face will take the party forward under Rahul Gandhi’s leadership,” a senior Congressmen said.
With Naik’s resignation, GPCC is looking for new and young blood to take over the party reins. All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary Girish Chodankar, who has been working closely with Gandhi, appears to be the top contender for the post.
Sources reveal that the PCC and CLP are in favour of Chodankar as the new party president. “However, the final decision lies with the high command,” sources said.
GPCC general secretary Yatish Naik, MLA Ravi Naik, vice president MK Shaikh and former MP Francisco Sardinha are also in the race for the top Congress post.
