MARGAO: All indications, going by statements from the Congress and Goa Forward, is that the seat adjustment between the two parties will not happen. The Congress seems set to field its candidate from Fatorda, which promises to be a battle royale between the BJP, Goa Forward and Congress
Congress leaders held their final discussion on the Fatorda constituency imbroglio at the party’s South Goa District office at Margao, where a decision was arrived at but has not been announced.
AICC’s Goa desk in-charge Digvijay Singh said, “The issue was discussed between the Congressmen present at the meeting and was resolved.” Asked whether the issue of withdrawal of their candidate in Fatorda was discussed, Singh said, “We have discussed and we will let you know tomorrow.”
GPCC President Luizinho Faleiro said, “We have discussed on general coordination and also on the appointment of spokespersons.”
Singh and Secretary Dr A Chella Kumar met with Faleiro, Leader of the Opposition Pratapsingh Rane, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, AICC Secretary Girish Chodankar on Friday afternoon.
However, the Fatorda Block Congress, asked whether they were approached seeking that the Congress candidate withdraw his nomination ruled this out. “There has been no correspondence. We have already started an aggressive campaign ruling out any withdrawal of candidature,” block president Avinash Tavares said.
Speaking on the Congress in Fatorda, Tavares said, “This fight has always been Congress versus BJP in Fatorda and the young Congress leader surely has an edge over the incumbent present MLA and the defeated past MLA.”
Meanwhile, Goa Forward candidate Vijai Sardesai at a corner meeting late Friday gave signs that the Congress-GF tie up has been severed. Commenting on the Congress candidate’s nomination Sardesai said, “It is an open and shut case. This man can’t win a Council election. The Congress is not willing to take a decision on the tie up. In fact they are already dreaming of who the next Chief Minister is going to be even before the elections and this is match-fixing.”
Clearly frustrated with the manner in which the alliance talks have broken down, Sardesai has started taking on the Fatorda Congress block. He also sought a promise from the people at the meeting, to support him, in these elections.
