PANJIM: Five in the bag, two more expected. For the NCP this is perhaps the best possible deal with the Congress in the circumstances. But the final round of negotiations in
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Sanguem and Mandrem are two seats that are close to finalisation but not quite. Both more important to the Congress’ own poll dynamics than the NCP’s need. There seems to be greater clarity on Porvorim, though Jitendra Deshprabhu’s entry into the Congress raises a question mark.
The most critical seat to watch will however be Sanguem. The Congress looking to find a window to accommodate Yuri Alemao, the son of Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao, may take the NCP route to allow him to contest. This has become critical knowing Joaquim’s rising unease at the delay in Yuri’s ticket finalisation. At this juncture, the last thing that the Congress can afford is unrest in the Alemao family camp. For the NCP, the Sanguem seat is helpful to its changes.
In the deep north, the Mandrem seat which was an open and shut case for the Congress with the induction of Dayanand Sopte, is open for negotiations. Two factors have added to this. Firstly, the Congress is trying to cut its losses given the widespread discontent at BJP defectors getting party tickets. It is learnt that as a middle path, Rajesh Patnekar will get the Bicholim ticket, mainly due to his new closeness with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, while Sopte may be denied one. In this scenario, Sameer Salgaocar and Sangita Parab come into the picture. The former is going solo anyway but there may be an understanding between Salgaocar and Parab.
Tivim, Mapusa, Saligao, Porvorim and Vasco are almost closed while Siolim, Cortalim, Mandrem and Sanguem are in the overall mix.
Meanwhile, Goa Congress President Subash Shirodkar said that the alliance with NCP is necessary to have a strong and formidable government.
Shirodkar until recently had been vocal in commenting that the Pradesh Congress wants to go all alone in the forthcoming polls and needs no alliance.
“An alliance with NCP is required to have a strong and formidable government like we have been able to give stable government in last five years,” he said.
However, he said, that seat-sharing has not yet been decided.
Shirodkar is also confident of the deal with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party.
“We are confident that the deal with the MGP will happen and we are working on it,” he said.
Replying to queries, Shirodkar expressed confidence that the party will wrest at least 22 seats on its own.
The GPCC chief also said that the first list of Congress candidates would be out by the end of this week.
“The Central Election Committee will meet on January 19, followed by the Screening Committee meeting which will announce the names,” he said adding “the alliance with NCP is also expected to be announced at the same time.”
