Valanka absence won't affect Congress prospects: Utkarsha Rupwate

PANAJI: The absence of Valanka Alemao, state president of the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), to campaign for the Congress in Goa will not have much effect as other members of the IYC are working full-time in Goa and Valanka's place has been taken by state IYC vice-president Xavier Fialho till the elections.
This was stated by Utkarsha Rupwate, national secretary, Indian Youth Congress and AICC observer for North and South Goa Lok Sabha elections.
Briefing the media, Rupwate said that Alemao is working for the Congress in Delhi after informing the Congress leadership there. Asked to comment on Alemao's reported comments against her partymen in the media, Rupwate said she has already reported these to the party higher-ups in Delhi and it is up to the party leadership to act on these.
Asked why Alemao chose not to campaign in Goa, Rupwate said Alemao has cited "personal reasons" before the leadership. Responding to another question, Rupwate said, "Her absence will not affect us much. Our team of Youth Congress members is working well. They are putting in a lot of effort. We should concentrate on what they are doing rather than what somebody is not doing."
Rupwate said that while Xavier Fialho is concentrating in South Goa, two state IYC general secretaries are concentrating on the campaign in North Goa.