This morning the Congress workers were extremely angry with the All India Congress Committee General Secretary Ms Margaret Alva looking after the Goa Desk. It was not clear her brief was, in Goa but according to information ferreted out by this writer from Party workers both at the PCC Office Near Hotel Mandovi Panaji and the changed venue at Cidade de Goa Dona Paula this morning her visit was intended to mollify the ruffled feathers of a few MLAs who were not given plum ministerial postings or no ministerial postings at all or not given lucrative postions of Chairpersons of the 18 Corporations.
In fact at least the lone women representative of the Congress felt that she could not speak any longer with the position she now holds. my voice has been stifled she complained to a party office bearer in the presence of this writer. Another complaint of the workers was that with almost all senior MLA's holding ministerial postings they obviously pleaded inability to raise issues affecting the people for fear of antogonising the Government. Some even complained that senior MLA Mr Harish Zantye made references only on INOX corruption and the failure of the Parrikar Government to pay him the promised amount for renovation of his theatres, other MLAs not holding ministerial postings were least interested in raising issues because they claimed that the senior legislators were not sensitive to their feelings. One visibly annoyed worker complained to this writer that the CM often pointed fingers to the Party High Command in New Delhi claiming that he was helpless and could not take policy decisions without the High Commands nod. But several other party workers that this writer interacted with were one on the point that the party has yet to learn lessons and the earlier they do it the better or the Congress will soon pale into insignificance before the next hustings. According to a youth Congress office bearer his complaint to this writer was that there are no incentive given to party workers they point out to the BJP cadre based party and the benefits they get. Others complained of no representation to boost their sagging morale. An as if totally unconcerned with all this ground reality the Congress Observer parked herself in Room No 306 of Cidade de Gia instead of the earlier venue PCC office. How can we make to a resort where there is no public transport or affordable transport ? Why should these observers not meet workers at the party office., were some of the questions raised by the party workers who had come from far off Pernem Mollem and Canacona early morning and went back. Meanwhile Ms Alva announcement of policy decisions like increasing the age of superannuation to 60 years from the earlier 58 years by the previous government or the allotment of funds of Rs 50 crores from the Centre for IFFI and the revival of ST SC posts were not befitting of a mere Party observer. This is the perogative of the elected Government and the Observer should understand well that it is a Congress coalition Government and not a Congress Government was the refrain of other workers. Having briefed the Seva Dal workers and the Mahila Mandal Ms Alva went on to meet the party legislators. Surprisingly the Chief Minister left for Maharashtra on a days visit today as per reports gathered by this writer from the CM s Office at the Secretariat. Yesterday there were rumours doing the rounds that Mr Ravi Sitaram Naik , MLA Ponda and the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President was to be appointed as the Chief Minister following a directive from the High Command to Mr Rane to step down owing to non performance for the last seven months. However these rumours are to be taken by a pinch of salt as it has almost become a habit for Congress man to scream the OUST RANE but none have the spine to unseat him like the proverbial who will bell the cat. >From the Panaji end GODFREY J I GONSALVES BORDA MARGAO GOA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
