Wednesday, January 18 2006 14:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Panaji: Alleging step-motherly treatment by alliance partner Congress in Goa, state NCP Executive Committee has asked its legislators to resign from Pratapsingh Rane Ministry.

The NCP Executive Committee meeting yesterday also asked its Goa Chief Wilfred D'souza to step down from the post for being 'unable to provide justice' to NCP leaders and workers, said NCP Minister Francisco Pacheco here today (Jan 18, 2006).

"All the members wanted me and D'souza to resign from the Rane Ministry. I am ready to resign provided D'souza puts in his papers first. He is our party president in Goa and he should act first," Pacheco told sources.

Abour Rane, he said, "The Chief Minister is behaving in an arrogant manner and is not moving any files, putting hurdle in state's progress which will reflect upon NCP as its alliance partner."

Supporting demand by party colleagues for D'souza's stepping down as a Goa NCP Chief, Pacheco said, "He should resign as party chief and allow some other senior NCP leader to hold the post."

Alleging that Congress leaders were enjoying the Chairmanship of Corporations while NCP leaders were neglected, Pacheco said though he is the Agriculture Minister, a Congressman has been posted as the Chairman of Horticulture Corporation. "I would have given that Corporation to an NCP leader," he said.

The Executive Committee has formed a six-member Committee to look into the grievances of party leaders and workers in the state and place them before the NCP ministers.