PANJIM:Discontent is brewing among Congress workers over the party’s eagerness to share more seats with the regional Goa Forward Party (GFP) for the Assembly elections fixed on February 14.
While the Mayem block has resigned en-masse, the likelihood of more such Blocks resigning rather than supporting Goa Forward is increasing. Grassroots political observers say that there could be mini political outbursts as more seats are allotted to GFP.
So far GFP has been allotted two seats and the party is demanding two more seats. But the Congress workers claim that the GFP does not deserve more seats when it has not expanded its base in the State.
The Fatorda and Mayem Block Congress Committees have already resigned after the seats were allotted to the GFP as per the pre-poll alliance while the Calangute Block Congress Committee has openly accused the Congress leaders of conspiring with the BJP and have decided to resign en-mass.
The Congress workers from St Andre and Mandrem constituencies have also threatened to raise a banner of revolt if the party fails to nominate candidates.
North Goa District Congress Committee president Vijay Bhike said Congress should not share more seats with the GFP.
Congress aspirant Ajay Prabhugaonkar, who resigned after the Mayem constituency was allotted to the GFP, said that by sharing seats the Congress is indirectly making the regional GFP strong.
Mandrem Block Congress president Narayan Redkar said, “We had recommended four names to North Goa District Congress Committee and now we have been told that Pradesh Election committee (PEC) has shortlisted two names and forwarded them to the CEC.” “Now we hear that GFP is demanding Mandrem seat. How can they demand it? We are completely opposed to allotting the seat to the GFP,” he added.
Redkar said that, unlike GFP, Congress has a strong presence in the Mandrem.
Asked whether they would revolt against the Congress if the seat is allotted to the GFP, Redkar said, “If Mandrem is given to alliance partner then we will convene a Block Committee meeting and decide our future course of action,’ he said.
GPCC member Vithu Morajkar, who was a strong aspirant for the Pernem seat declined to react to the party’s decision to field Adv Jitendra Gaonkar.
