GPCC demands Minister Dhavlikar's head but CM non-committal

Panaji, Oct 3 (UNI) Goa Pradesh Congress Comittee today unanimously resolved to urge the party high command for removal of PWD minister Ramakrishna Dhavlikar (MGP) from the coalition government for his alleged ''anti-Congress activities.'' Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane, who has the prerogative fo keep or remove his ministerial colleagues from the cabinet, is however 'non-committal' on the issue, saying it was for the high command to decide.

A delegation of the GPCC, led by its president Ravi Naik, would leave for New Delhi on October five to impress upon the party high command the need for removal of Mr Dhavlikar.

Mr Dhavlikar was however not available for comment. The Congress workers complained of his ''arrogant and non-cooperative attitude'' and harassment of the Congress workers with regard to developmental works.

The GPCC which met under the leadership of its president Mr Ravi Naik and the Congress legislature party including Chief Minister met today at the Congress House where the former had addopted the resolution.

The resolution demanded that PWD Minister Sudin Dhavlikar, a member of Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and partner of the coaliation government led by Congress in Goa should be immediately dropped from the cabinet and the alliance with Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) be disbanded.

The resolution, according to Congress spokesman Mr Vishnu Wagh, was moved by Mr Sanjay Bandekar and seconded by Francis Fernandes.

The workers were also protesting unilateral decision of the minister that his party (MGP) would contest 24 of the 40 seats in the coming elections to the State Assembly besides projecting his candidates in the constituencies including his own brother.

Mr Dhavlikar had allegedly started financing these candidates including one in the Ponda Constituency represented by the the GPCC President Ravi Naik.

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