PANJIM/MARGAO: Alliance or adjustment? The contours of the final political deal between Goa Forward and Congress are still hazy. The only signs emanating are that they will be aligning in some form or the other, in moves which are now completely led and executed by the AICC, with the GPCC having little or no role to play.

Interestingly both the Goa Forward and the Congress seemed to be giving different versions of the DNA of this alliance. GF mentor Vijai Sardesai in an official statement issued this late Sunday evening “announced” seat adjustment with Congress at Fatorda, Saligao, Siolim and Porvorim, where the later will not field any candidates. “This is not an alliance but seat adjustment between two parties. This is pre-poll adjustment where like-minded forces have joined hands to ouster BJP from power,” Sardesai said.

While this goes completely against the Goa Congress’ stand that party building and fielding one’s own candidates in 40 seats was the way forward, a section of the High command appears to have chosen Goa Forward over the way forward, against the official pronouncements of the GPCC and sentiments of the blocks.

But intriguingly, a section of the AICC leadership, not aligned to Sardesai, had a different version of the “alliance/adjustment”. A senior AICC office bearer, who is closely involved in the Goa candidate selection and seat sharing discussions, said “There is no formal alliance with Goa Forward. In Porvorim, Rohan Khaunte is contesting as Congress backed independent. In Saligao and Siolim we will have candidates contesting on a hand symbol and in Fatorda, the Congress has a scheduled caste candidate, who is still in the fray”. Asked specifically if Congress will field a candidate against Vijai Sardesai in Fatorda, the senior AICC functionary said “This is something we cannot share at this moment”. It was only in Velim where the GF version and the AICC version matched, that there would be friendly fight.

About Porvorim, Sardesai seemed to echo what the AICC functionary told Herald about Khaunte not being with GF. “Rohan Khaunte has not joined the party as yet; doors are open for him. If he wants to contest by tomorrow (Monday), (on a GF ticket) he will have to join the party,” Sardesai said when asked. 

But the Fatorda MLA, drew confidence from what, according to him, was conveyed by AICC desk in-charge of Goa, who is batting for a formal alliance and seat sharing with Goa Forward, Digvijay Singh. “Singh has already conveyed me the decision. On Monday he will make the formal announcement in Goa,” he said. 

Goa Forward has already announced their candidate Jayesh Salgaocar from Saligao and Uday Palyekar from Siolim - both would be contesting against BJP’s sitting MLA and Minister Dilip Parulekar and Dayanand Mandrekar respectively. Meanwhile, it has fielded Antony Rodrigues while Congress has named its former Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues as their Velim candidates. 

When tried to contact, Khaunte remained unavailable for comments. However, sources close to him confirm that he will mostly contest as an independent.

While it is clear that an understanding has been reached, the exact shape and size of this will be clear across Monday and Tuesday, a day before the last date for nominations on January 18.