Tug of war for deputy CM's seat in Goa The Statesman Press Trust of India Panaji, Jan. 27. - NCP's Goa unit faction supporting legislator Mr Fransisco Pacheco demanded Goa unit chief Mr Wilfred D'souza should hand over his deputy chief ministerial post to Mr Pacheco respecting NCP's policy of "one man, one post". Mr D'souza, however, refused to relinquish the post stating "one man, one post" principle did not exist in NCP's constitution and rules. The NCP in Goa stands divided amongst Mr D'souza and Mr Pacheco. "NCP's constitution is clear in this regard and it advocates one man, one post policy. Since Mr D'souza is already party chief, he should give up deputy chief minister's post to his colleague, Mr Pacheco," NCP general secretary Mr Ulhas Naik said. Mr Pacheco-led faction had recently met NCP leader and Maharashtra deputy chief minister Mr RR Patil in Mumbai demanding democratic functioning of the party.
"We don't demand leadership change but we want that Mr D'souza should respect party constitution," Mr Naik said. Mr Naik, who addressed press in presence of Mr Pacheco, said Mr D'souza was not allowing the party to grow in the state. "Not even membership forms are printed to take up membership drive," Mr Naik added. As the NCP leaders backing Mr Pacheco held their press conference in the morning, Mr D'souza and his supporters briefed press in the evening claiming "one man, one post" policy was not enshrined in party's constitution. "Our party chief Mr Sharad Pawar himself is holding two posts, one of party chief and another of agriculture minister along with other portfolios. The important factor in NCP is loyalty to the party," Mr D'souza said refusing to give up his deputy chief minister's post for Mr Pacheco. He said a show cause notice was issued to Mr Pacheco and his reply was sent to the party high command for further action.