Panaji: The political crisis in the Revolutionary Goans Party deepened on Monday after its lone MLA Viresh Borkar skipped a key meeting convened by the party’s central executive committee (CEC), even as senior party leaders said they would wait for his communication for a possible joint meeting.
The regional party has been struggling to retain its standing among the people ahead of state Assembly elections, which will be held in the next seven-eight months.
Staying away from the CEC meeting, the St Andre MLA posted a strongly worded message on social media, asserting that the party was born not for one man, but for every Goan who truly loves this land.
Borkar reckoned that political time and clock time are different.
“I entered politics not for power, but for Goa,” he said, recalling his participation in the Anna Hazare movement during his student days.
The legislator said that even suspension from the party would not silence him, because silence on injustice is the greatest betrayal.
He reiterated his opposition to land conversions made under Section 39A of the TCP Act and government policies which, according to him, threaten Goa’s identity, villages, culture, paddy fields and rivers.
“If speaking for Goa creates enemies, I accept it with humility,” Borkar said, while appealing to people not to spew hatred towards individuals to become greater than their love for Goa.
RGP chief Manoj Parab and other party leader Ajay Kholkar told mediapersons on Monday that party leadership would wait for Borkar’s communication for a possible joint meeting.
“Borkar has sent an email saying that he is out of station and would not be able to attend the CEC meeting,” Parab said.
When asked what would be the party’s stand if Borkar joins another party in future, the RGP president said the party has faith that he would come for discussions.
But if someone wants to leave the party then it would be beyond our control, Parab said.
