Team Herald: 

PANJIM: While claiming that they are in touch with BJP allies- MGP, Goa Forward Party and Independents for government formation, Congress senior MLA Ravi Naik on Tuesday announced that their leader Chandrakant Kavlekar would be promoted as Chief Ministerial candidate. 

“Just wait for six months and see the developments taking place. We are not going to touch any of their MLAs even though they are in touch with our leaders,” Naik told media persons post CLP meeting. He said that party’s talks to form an alliance government is on with MGP, Goa Forward Party and Independents. “In fact, some of them are even coming to us,” he said. 

When asked who would be their CM candidate to promote before the alliance, Naik said “Babu (Kavlekar), who is our leader of opposition, will be promoted as our Chief Ministerial candidate,” he stated. 

Naik statement comes in presence of Kavlekar, senior MLAs Pratapsingh Rane, Luizinho Faleiro and others. Congress incompetence to elect their leader cum Chief Ministerial candidate post March 2017 assembly election results, had resulted into their failure to form the government, despite having 17 MLAs. 

Speaking on the same, Kavlekar said that party’s efforts will continue to form the new government. “Our demand with President of India and Goa Governor remains that we be allowed to prove the majority on the Floor,” he said. Congress leader said that for now they have adopted wait and watch mode, even though their effort for government formation will continue. 

“We all 14 MLAs are united. We have adopted wait and watch mode at the current situation. Our future course of action will be disclosed soon,” he said. GFP was quick to issue refusal. GFP Vice President Durgadas Kamat tweeted: “We are not in talks with @INCIndia/INCGoa. #Grandfathers from @INCGoa are making these statements in order to keep their reaming #Herds together. @Goaforwardparty is for stable #Govt for 5 years. “As our President said its upto @BJP4India President to ensure the same,” he said.