Goa Cong divided over choice of Rajya Sabha candidate

The Goa Congress, with its newly appointed Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president, is divided over its Rajya Sabha candidate. While PCC believes that a hardcore Congressman should be nominated, the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) wants to use this opportunity to test the strength and resolve of the ruling alliance.

Sources in the party confirmed that there is no unanimity over the issue. PCC is in favour of two names — Pro-Congress businessman Datta Nayak and former BJP MP and now Congress leader Ramakant Angle. "CLP wants to play a dangerous gamble by nominating a top office-bearer of the Goa Forward party, which is in alliance with the BJP government. The motive is to draw the regional force away from the BJP," a source said.

Sources in the CLP say the office bearer of Goa Forward is Suraj Lotlikar, a businessman, holding the post of Treasurer in Goa Forward. However, it is unclear whether Lotlikar or Goa Forward would agree to the CLP proposal.

"It is a fact that we do not have the numbers. We are discussing many names. A final decision would be taken after consulting our desk in-charge A Chellakumar," said Shantaram Naik, new PCC chief.

Chellakumar is in Goa to settle the dispute. However, Congress is running out of time as the filing of nominations begins on Tuesday. Some CLP leaders also say that in case there's no consensus, Naik, the present Rajya Sabha MP of the Goa Congress would file the nomination again.