Cong MLAs blame party managers for Goa fiasco; to meet Rahul

Panaji: A section of Congress MLAs in Goa has sought appointment with the party vice-president Rahul Gandhi to apprise him about the "mismanagement" by senior leaders which they blame for the botched bid to capture power.

The anguish of the party MLAs seems to be directed at AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh who has been handling the party affairs in Goa ahead and after elections.

The Congress leaders are still smarting from the failure of the party managers to cobble up any post-poll alliance to attain power, despite emerging as the single largest party in Assembly elections.

Acting swiftly, the BJP which ended up as the second largest party staked the claim to form government.

Saffron veteran Manohar Parrikar Monday took oath as chief minister for the fourth time, after the BJP managed to cobble up a disparate coalition of the local outfits and Independents.

The BJP has won 13 seats, four less than the Congress which bagged 17 seats in the 40-member House.

The BJP will have to prove majority in the Legislative Assembly tomorrow, as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

Congress MLA Vishwajeet Rane said a group of the party legislators met in Panaji last night, where they vented their anguish regarding the political scenario.

"It seems those leaders sent from Delhi never wanted Congress to form government in Goa. Congress should know the kind of mismanagement done by the in-charge of the party who came here from Delhi, which will finish the party," Rane said.

The pre and post election matters of Congress in Goa were handled by Digvijaya and the party Secretary Chellakumar, who has been camping in Goa.

Rane has also written a letter to Rahul seeking the appointment.

"I have written to Rahul Gandhi asking him to take action against those responsible for the failure to form the government despite being the single largest party in Goa," he said.

Rane, son of veteran Congress leader and former chief minister Pratapsinh Rane, questioned the "delay" in electing the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader.

"Ideally, the CLP leader should have been elected immediately (after the poll results). Partys Goa Incharge has done this mismanagement.

"Those who were incharges of Goa are experienced people. They should have understood the steps needed to be taken immediately to form the government," the Valpoi MLA said.

He rued the "swift moves" by the BJP in enlisting the support of the smaller parties.