GPCC chief gheraoed in Congress House

Panaji, Mar 19 (UNI) Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Ravi Naik was gheraoed at the party headquarters today by workers, seeking renomination of deputy speaker Ms Victoria Fernandes from Santa Cruz constituency in the upcoming elections to the state legislative assembly.

The workers, assembled at the Congress House, raised slogans demanding the party ticket for Ms Fernandes, the lone woman in the 40-member House in the Congress-led coalition government.

Mr Ravi however, pacified the crowd by stating all nominations received would be scrutinised by a team of central observers before finalising the list of candidates based on various factors such as winnability and loyalty.

Earlier, the pro-Victoria supporters took out a huge procession to the Congress House. Ms Victoria was in the forefront of the morcha, which blocked traffic for some time.

Later, the processionists went back to Santa Cruz along with their leader, where she addressed the rally.

Former minister Mr Atanasio Monserrate (Babush), who sought renomination from Taleigao constituency, was present in the party office. He told UNI that he would himself campaign in favour of his wife Jennifer in neighbouring Santa Cruz constituency if she was denied the party ticket.

''Let the party initiate any action against me. There is no rule of one ticket only for a family member. In that case, why did the party give ticket to South Goa MP Churchil Alemao when his elder brother Joaquim Alemao was already a minister in the cabinet?'' he asked.

When Babush's reaction was brought to his notice, Ravi said he had nothing to say as it was for the high command to finalise the party candidates.

UNI