Revolt brewing in Goa Congress, Delhi refuses to budge

Many MLAs of the Congress in Goa are contemplating quitting the party as the high command is dragging its feet in replacing Luizinho Faleiro as the Pradesh Congress Committee chief. It has told local MLAs to do what they want as Delhi will not take a decision on the matter in haste.

Highly placed sources have confirmed that more than four MLAs may resign if Faleiro is not relieved of his charge by Saturday. Three different sources have confirmed that the deadline ends on Saturday.

"If anyone wants to leave, we cannot stop them. But the party will not be pressured into taking decisions," a source confirmed that the Goa desk in-charge has conveyed this message to the aggrieved group.

The demand to replace Faleiro was made two months ago before A Chellakumar, Goa desk in-charge of the Congress.

Faleiro however has made clear that he is ready to step down and does not wish to continue with the responsibility. But high command is not effecting change as it does not intend to succumb to the pressure of the MLAs.

"A track report of our MLAs is highly unreliable. Some of them are out on anticipatory bail. Some have serious cases registered against them. How can Delhi trust these elements and decide," said a senior GPCC official on the condition of anonymity.

In the event where the demand is not met, revolting MLAs are also contemplating joining the BJP to contest the by-election along with Manohar Parrikar and Vishwajeet Rane.