Woman Cong leader seeks apology from Rane over remark about

Goa Congress women's wing chief Pratima Coutinho today demanded an apology from party leader Pratapsinh Rane over his statement that Goans who go abroad for work do lowly jobs such as toilet cleaning there.

"Mahila Congress (Congress women wing) is hurt by the statement and with all humility, he should apologize to the people working abroad and their dependents," Coutinho said here.

"We humbly request our senior leader Rane to admit the mistake and apologize to the people of Goa for hurting their sentiments," she added.

Rane, a former chief minister, had said during a discussion on mining industry in the Goa Assembly that Goans who work abroad "do toilet cleaning jobs".

While it drew a sharp reaction from the Goan diaspora, state Congress had distanced itself from the controversial statement.

Coutinho also said that the Congress ruled the state for many years but failed to create enough jobs, which forced people to migrate.

Rane was not available for comments on Countinho's demand.