No CLP leader yet, may take 2 days, says Congress

PANAJI: Congress failed to arrive at a decision regarding choosing a legislature party (CLP) chief to replace rebel legislator Michael Lobo in the House. The decision was announced just before midnight, hours after Congress asked speaker Ramesh Tawadkar to drop Lobo from the post.
Despite state party president Amit Patkar giving assurances that the new CLP leader would be announced by afternoon, a quick decision eluded the party.
Patkar said that the party could take as long as two days to finalise the name of the new opposition leader.
“There was a delay because of what has been happening in the state since yesterday. There are a few names which we have put forward. Within a couple of days, we will nominate the CLP. It may take two days,” said Patkar.
Rajya Sabha MP and AICC general secretary Mukhul Wasnik, Goa desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao, and Patkar chaired a marathon meeting at the party head office in the capital. While 10 Congress MLAs including Lobo showed up to meet Wasnik, only nine stayed behind for the CLP meeting. Margao MLA Digambar Kamat and Lobo skipped the meeting to pick the new CLP leader.
“We had a very good discussion. We discussed how we can perform better in the ongoing assembly session. We also heard suggestions on how to strengthen the party in Goa," Wasnik told reporters after the meeting.
When asked if Congress had decided on the fate of Kamat and Lobo, Rao offered a cryptic response. “Congress is a large-hearted party but certain things still have to be resolved,” said Rao.
Lobo claims to have asked the party brass in Goa to drop him from the post due to the various allegations levelled against him by the BJP-led government. He said that it would be “very difficult and embarrassing” for the party if he continued at the helm. Lobo, who met Wasnik, recommended that Margao MLA Digambar Kamat should be made CLP leader.
Earlier, Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira said that he was ready to shoulder the responsibilities of the CLP leader if the party entrusted him with the post.