Panaji: The animosity within RG took a dire turn on Monday with the party announcing that it has terminated the primary membership of its St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, its lone representative in the state assembly, with immediate effect.Citing anti-party activities, indiscipline, and violations of the party constitution, RG directed Borkar to stop representing himself as a party member or office-bearer with immediate effect.In the termination order, party general secretary Vishesh Naik said Borkar was issued a show-cause notice on April 16 asking him to explain his conduct. Subsequently, he was sent five reminders with the last on June 18.Naik said Borkar attempted to take control of the organisation, issued unauthorised communications, and falsely projected himself as party president and whip.Calling the termination order a “joke”, Borkar told reporters that Naik had no authority to terminate his primary membership since Naik himself has been suspended from the post of general secretary.Calling the order against him invalid, Borkar said he had already dissolved all party committees three days earlier, making Naik’s order null and void under the party constitution. He further termed the move undemocratic, asserted that the authority of the party rests with him, and said he would expose the vested interests behind the recent developments.The two warring factions are vying for control of the party office, its funds and records. On Sunday, Borkar had alleged that money was being withdrawn from the party’s bank account. The party office at Patto was briefly sealed by supporters linked to him. Some party workers claimed the office was sealed on the directions of Borkar. The allegations about funds being withdrawn came just days after Borkar announced that party treasurer Ajay Kholkar would face disciplinary proceedings.“As per the RG constitution that the Election Commission of India has uploaded on its website, the party has a national executive with a national president having all authority to discipline and issue A/B forms. If so, Vishwesh Naik has no power to terminate Borkar. However, that was bound to happen politically as the personal confrontation was beyond redemption,” said political commentator, advocate Cleofato Coutinho.The last time a sitting MLA was expelled from a party was in 2015 when Congress expelled Atanasio Monserrate, the then Santa Cruz MLA, from the party for six years after he backed BJP’s candidate in the Panaji elections. Following his expulsion, Monserrate remained as an “unattached” MLA, without any curbs on his rights as legislator.A livid Kholkar had lashed out at Borkar, accusing him of being unfit to be an MLA. “Viresh Borkar should realise that his time in RG has ended,” he said.Despite repeated attempts, Borkar did not respond to calls. However, the Gomantak Bhandari Samaj jumped in to defend him.“We strongly and unequivocally condemn the highly objectionable and insulting statement made by Ajay Kholkar, in which he referred to our St Andre MLA and our Bhandari Samaj brother, Viresh Borkar, as ‘goddo aamdar’ (dumb MLA ),” said the Gomantak Bhandari Samaj in a statement.The slur against Borkar is being seen as an insult to the entire Bhandari community. The Gomantak Bhandari Samaj has demanded an immediate and unconditional public apology from Kholkar. It said that when the time is right, it will expose those who are playing “dirty games” by attacking Borkar.
