PANJIM: Senior Nationalist Congress Party leaders Praful Patel and Bhaskar Jadhav will fly to Goa in a bid to douse the rebellion within its State unit over the recent appointment of Supreme Court lawyer Suhas Valavaikar as the new party president.
A week after officially promoting him to the highest post in the State, the party high command in New Delhi, on Monday, held back his appointment bowing to pressure from senior leaders, who sent a common resignation to protest Valavaikar’s elevation.
Calling it ‘misunderstanding’ among the leaders, Valavaikar told the media on Tuesday that he will continue to work for the party even if he is replaced by the high command next week.
“It is a misunderstanding. I met different party workers/leaders and received 10 times more support than prior to my elevation,” he said.
NCP’s senior leaders such as Jose Philip D’Souza, Trajano D’Mello and 18 others had resigned from the party, but subsequently decided to keep their resignations on hold for a week after assurances from central NCP leaders.
Party general secretary Avinash Bhonsle, who was also present at the press conference said, that senior leaders will be in Goa to resolve the matter within eight days. He quickly added that Valavaikar hasn’t taken up the post officially pending a final decision.
Valavaikar, who has been with the party for five years has refused to lobby with the State or national party leaders to hold on to his appointment. “I won’t make any argument nor give up the post. It is for the high command to decide. I don’t have any request to anyone. If the party high command finds me capable, they can keep me (as the President). I am the last person to lobby (for the position),” he said.
The lawyer went on to state that his appointment was not objected to by any member of the party and that the rumbling within the organization have been a sheer misunderstanding.
“I will be a lifelong member, humble and loyal worker of the party. I don’t want to contest any election. Whether
my appointment is on hold, I will work for the party as it hardly makes any difference to me,” he added.
