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NCP warns partymen against washing dirty linen in public BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, FEB 8 - Disturbed by the public utterances of senior leaders against each other, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) observer to Goa Chandrakant Tripathi sent a clear warning to partymen not to indulge in criticizing the party or its leaders in public. Mr Tripathi who is in Goa for the last three days to patch-up differences between state unit chief Dr Wilfred de Souza and NCP MLA from Benaulim Mikky Pacheco today continued to maintain the stand that the differences between the two have been resolved. However Pacheco's fiery outburst to the media over the personal cum official differences between his state unit chief and him was taken stern note of. According to sources, Mickky's outbursts yesterday had provoked the party to take a stiff stance of expelling the Benaulim MLA from the party today morning. While Pacheco said he was ignorant of this move to expel him, he told Herald today evening that he was not too certain whether Dr Willy was the state party president since the committee had been dissolved in December and would wait to see who would take over the mantle of the party presidentship after the organization elections are held within a month or two. Tripathi who was to leave Goa today extended his stay by another day and attended a dinner party for the NCP members where Pacheco was also invited. Mr Pacheco said, "I have been invited and I will go for it." The agriculture minister told Herald on Wednesday evening that he had not met Tripathi during the day today and that he would want him to convey his grievances to the high command. Pacheco refused to comment on whether the differences had been ironed out even as the NCP observer told media persons today morning that "all the party colleagues are together and the differences are over now." Tripathi said that Mickky aired his grievances to him. He said, "Pacheco is hurt because of the personal attacks." Tripathi also said that he would not want to look at the negative side and expressed the view that the Benaulim colleague was very enthusiastic to work for the party. Replying to queries, the NCP observer to Goa said that a party unit would be put in place through electoral process and by following party norms. Asked about Pacheco's grievances of having no work in the government, Tripathi said that his case would be taken up by Dr Willy. Reiterating his satisfaction in the functioning of the coalition government, Mr Tripathi said, "We are not blackmailers." Adding further that the coalition with the Congress was primarily to keep communal forces out. He also said, "We will not allow anyone to stop us for doing our work." He also said that lack of discipline within the party, if any, will be corrected. Meanwhile, all the party leaders with the exception of Dr Willy attended the dinner held at Joecons, Benaulim. -- Peace be with you! Gabe Menezes. London, England
