http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=012623
NCP observer to visit Goa, claims Pacheco NT News Service Margao Jan 25: The Agriculture Minister, Mr Francisco Xavier Pacheco today met the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Mr R R Patil. He told The Navhind Times that Mr Patil had told him that an observer would be deputed to Goa. On his demand for a NCP special meeting being rejected, Mr Pacheco said that it was enough for one-third of the party members convening a meeting. Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister and the state Nationalist Congress Party president, Dr Wilfred de Souza today refuted charges that he had done nothing for the party, was incapable of leading the party and had hampered its growth. Speaking to reporters in Margao, Dr de Souza said by raising unnecessary issues it seemed that Mr Pacheco was trying to dislodge the government. "I have 24 officer-bearers with me," he exclaimed. When asked whether he had recommended the expulsion of Mr Pacheco from the party, Dr de Souza remarked saying, "It is for the party high command to decide. I have already submitted my report," he said. On the Agriculture Minister's visit to Mumbai to meet the Maharashtra Deputy Minister, Mr R R Patil to lodge his complaint, Dr de Souza said, "What is the use of him going to Mumbai. Mr Sharad Pawar is based in New Delhi and he is final authority." "And as for Mr R R Patil, he is the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra and we are the only two NCP deputy chief ministers in the country," he said. Reacting to charges that the party had office bearers from a particular religion alone leading to bias, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that the charge did not make any sense. "Look at our office-bearers and what religion they belong to. There is no such thing as bias," he maintained. He also denied charges that most of the office-bearers were residents of in and around Saligao alone. "What about the Mr Pacheco (who is the vice-president) is he also from Saligao?" Dr de Souza questioned. -- Salaam ali kum. Gabe Menezes. London, England
