Margao, Nov 13 (TOI): The Congress is seeking to take inspiration from Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, the socialist leader who initiated the civil disobedience movement from Margao in 1946, to revitalize itself and fight "divisive forces" and "politics of polarization" in the country.

Goa Congress chief Luizinho Faleiro, told media persons on Thursday that a large public meeting will be held at Lohia maidan, Margao, on November 14 to commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Faleiro further said that an oath of tolerance will be administered to the people at the meeting "so as to cherish, safeguard and upkeep the principles of unity, peace, compassion and brotherhood amongst our citizenry".

On the clamour of Congress for an alliance with regional parties, Faleiro remarked : "How many parties are left to have an alliance? The MGP and GVP are honeymooning with the BJP. Some of the independents are part of the ruling government..."

Stating that Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, who was also present on the occasion, would be the convener of the meeting, Faleiro said, "Digambar will start a movement which will bring about a sea change in the Congress and its organization."

Asked to outline the "sea change" he would like to see, Faleiro merely suggested that strengthening the party organization would be the party's immediate task. "We will soon have committees in every block ready, and then at the booth-level," he said.

Kamat, speaking on the occasion, said that Lohia Maidan had special significance in Goa's freedom movement. "It was here that Lohia started the mantra of Jai Hind to Goans to fight the Portuguese rule," Kamat said, thereby emphasizing that the Congress would go into overdrive to strengthen its organization.

Faleiro said that new faces would be groomed to contest the next assembly elections. "You have to earn the ticket; you have to work with the people. We would like to provide them all support so that they can also be candidates for the next elections," he said.