Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar has defended Congress Working President and Quepem MLA Alton D’Costa’s recent visit to the Velim constituency, asserting that there was no question of interference in the constituency.
Chodankar said D’Costa, besides serving as the MLA of Quepem, has been entrusted with the responsibility of heading the South Goa and Kushavati District Congress Committees. In contrast, Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira has been assigned charge of the North Goa and Mhadei District Congress Committees.
Since Velim falls under the South Goa District Congress Committee, Chodankar said D’Costa’s visit was part of his organisational responsibility to strengthen the party structure and activities in the constituency.
Responding to speculation that D’Costa’s activities in Velim could be linked to the allocation of the Congress ticket, Chodankar clarified that candidate selection is a structured process. He said recommendations are made by the Screening Committee and the Pradesh Election Committee before the final decision is taken by the Central Election Committee.
Chodankar further said D’Costa, in his capacity as Working President, is expected to visit different constituencies as part of his organisational duties and work towards strengthening the party ahead of the upcoming elections.
He added that the Congress organisation is currently focused on preparations for the upcoming Goa Rakhon Yatra, with party workers engaged in planning and strengthening the organisation across the state.
