Panaji:
Two Congress ministers in Goa have sent their resignations to the state Chief Minister Digambar Kamat. The Alemao brothers, Joachim and Churchill, who held important portfolios of urban development and public works in the Goa Cabinet are unhappy that Churchill's daughter Valanka was not allowed to contest the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) elections.
Valanka wanted to fight the IYC elections but was refused after allegations using strong-arm tactics were levelled against her.
Their resignations, however, will not plunge the Goa government into any immediate crisis as the Congress and its allies are well ahead of the half way mark with 25 MLAs in a House of 40. The Opposition tally is at 15.
Insiders say the Alemao brothers seem to be flexing their muscles ahead of next year's Assembly Elections in Goa and they have also suggested that they are willing to leave the Congress if the need arose.
Before last time's Assembly elections in Goa in 2007, Churchill Alemao had formed the Save Goa Front (SGF), which won three seats. The SGF merged with the Congress after the elections and both brothers were rewarded with plum portfolios.