PANJIM: The fallout of the failed alliance between Congress, Goa Forward and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) was there to see in Saligao constituency on Wednesday as leaders crossed over to rival parties. While Congress-backed Sangolda and Guirim panchayats extended their support to Goa Forward candidate Jayesh Salgaonkar, while NCP vice president Devanand Naik with 500 of his supporters joined Congress.
Sangolda Sarpanch Nilkant Naik along with panch members, former panch and social workers and Guirim panch members led by Sani Nanodkar extended support to Goa Forward.
“I am a Congressman and have been actively working for the party. However, the candidate (Agnelo Fernandes) has been fielded without taking us into confidence, just to divide votes and get BJP back,” Nilkanth said adding that Saligao, Pilerne, Nerul and Reis Magos panchayats will also support Goa Forward.
Nanodkar said people are unhappy with the BJP government and Congress and both parties have to be ousted from Saligao.
Goa Forward claimed that Salgonkar has mustered ground support which is increasing daily. “People from all six villages of Saligao constituency have come out in our support in large numbers,” Party President Prabhakar Timble said.
Timble said that if the decision on alliance had been taken earlier, the party would have fielded at least ten candidates including in Sanguem, Curchorem, Navelim. “Congress has betrayed the aspirations of the people,” he said.
Later in the afternoon, NCP vice president Devanand Naik and 500 supporters resigned from the party and joined Congress, supporting Fernandes. Naik was supposed to contest on the NCP ticket from Saligao, however, he later backed out.
He was welcomed into the party by AICC secretary Dr Chella Kumar and Fernandes. “I was upset as there was no alliance. I don’t want a division of votes, hence I decided to join Congress,” Devanand said.
