Goa Congress tries to rein in rebel MLAs

The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee on Saturday warned its legislators against venting out their anger in public against the party leadership. The GPCC meeting, which was held against the backdrop of a rebellion by five legislators demanding leadership change in the state, was also attended by Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat.

Home Minister Ravi Naik, who is a former GPCC chief, was the only legislator present at the meeting, which discussed the burning issue concerning the party.

"It was resolved that the Congress Legislative Party should abide by the party discipline. Instability in the government hampers the implementation of government schemes and affects the progress of the state," said GPCC chief Subhash Shirodkar.

He said GPCC members expressed their strong displeasure over the legislators going to the press and making statements against the party leadership.

Goa Congress leaders who took a dig at rebellious legislators, however, shielded the chief minister and refused to seek an explanation from him over the frequent revolts against his leadership.

"The chief minister will not be questioned. He has already briefed the high command over the issue," Shirodkar said. "I have also spoken to him and discussed at length about the incidents," he added.

Goa Chief Minister Kamat said that the views expressed by the legislators are their individual views. "No one has formally conveyed anything to me. I have spoken to many Congress legislators and they are happy with the functioning of government," he said.

Meanwhile, rebellious Congress legislators Churchill Alemao and Pandurang Madkaikar are currently camping in Delhi. Sources disclosed that they were summoned by the high command to discuss the ongoing crisis.