Inspired by Rahul's speech, 71-yr-old Goa-Congress chief decides to resign
Without a clear roadmap for the country, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi seems to be making no impression whatsoever on the country's population. However, his speech at the party's 84th plenary session has inspired Goa Congress president Shantaram Naik. He has decided to resign and make way for a "young and committed" leader after Rahul vowed to build a new Congress of "talented youngsters."
Who is Shantaram Naik?
Born a year before India attained independence, Shantaram Naik started his political career in 1967 as part of the Congress. He was actively involved with the movement granting full statehood to Goa in 1987. He had also campaigned for including Konkani in the Constitution's Eighth Schedule, dealing with official languages. He replaced Luizinho Faleiro as the Goa Congress chief in July'17.
What did Rahul say to inspire Naik?
In his concluding speech, Rahul vowed to break the wall between seniors and youngsters in the party. Naik said, "Rahul showed the empty stage and wished to fill that stage with younger generation. That inspired me." He added that as suggested by Rahul, he would groom "the younger generation by providing them the platform to emerge as the next leaders of our country."
Did anyone else get inspired?
Though Naik is the first senior leader to put in papers, the party's Gujarat chief 64-yr-old Bharatsinh Solanki, might also resign. However, this could be in keeping with Congress's tradition where a state unit chief quits when the party gets defeated in assembly polls.
