"Congress has remained a forum for free expression. In a democratic institution, there should be no place for sycophancy and image-worship," the strongly-worded resolution stated. The resolution further pointed out Sharad Pawar and P A Sangma were senior leaders of the party.

"The CWC's instantaneous decision to expel them from the party symbolises the erosion of democratic values within the Congress," the resolution added.

The Youth Congress resolution which comes on the eve of Assembly polls had various leaders of the party gunning for GPCC president Luizinho Faleiro. Opponents of theformer CM met AICC observer Ramesh Chennithala and demanded action against the rebels. "Vishnu Wagh and Faleiro want to create confusion among party workers," a senior Congress leader told The Indian Express.

GYC chief Wagh who declared his loyalty to the Congress party before Chennithala however stuck to his guns. "Sonia Gandhi's nationality will have an impact on the Assembly polls as also the Lok Sabha elections", Wagh told this newspaper. He further added that as a frontal organisation of the Congress, Youth Congress leaders had to be frank with the party high command.

GPCC President and former Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro, as expected, is working hard to defend his protege. "He only made a request to Sonia Gandhi as he wished to keep the party united," Faleiro said. He further added that Wagh's youthful enthusiasm should not be considered as a rebellion against the party high command.

Chennithala himself tried to play down the issue stating that he was satisfied with Wagh's explanation."We explained to him that the CWC was the highest decision making body of the party and there was no room for re-considering the expulsion," Chennithala told The Indian Express.

Both the Congress Party and the BJP have made the Goa elections a prestige issue following the fall of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at the Centre.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi will campaign in the State for two days from Sunday. "People are looking forward to Gandhi's visit...there is a sympathy wave for her," Faleiro said.