Team Herald
PANJIM: In a significant development for the Congress in the State, hundreds of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) workers led by former Tourism Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar and Trajano D’Mello joined hands with the party to fight ‘communal forces’.
Eleven of the 21 member executive committee members joined the Congress in Panjim on Saturday. Besides Halarnkar and D’Mello, other leaders like Salim Sayyed, Nazir Beig, Peter Afonso, Nilkanth Shetgaonkar, Menino D’Souza, Salman Sayyed, Amir Shirodkar embraced the Congress.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Luizinho Faleiro, welcoming the leaders, said this is one of the happiest moments as the family members are back after a long period.
“NCP was an off-shoot of the Congress and we always felt it as a part of Congress and had a coalition,” he said adding, “In the next one month or so you will see mass exodus from other parties to join Congress to defeat the communal forces.” He said the secular forces must come together to defeat the corrupt BJP.
“BJP will have to face the wrath of the people for their U-turns on several issues like corruption, special status, casinos, Regional Plan,” Faleiro said.
Addressing the media, Halarnkar said he felt that Congress and NCP had the same ideology but were working separately which was giving an advantage to their rivals. “We just can’t solve issues playing the game of alliance and hence I felt it was the right time to join hands with Congress and make the party stronger,” he said adding, “Goa’s prosperity has to be planned in a better way and not in a haphazard manner which is underway currently.”
D’Mello, the former NCP spokesperson said, “The Congress’ secular credentials can never be doubted. I was told by my supporters this is the right time to join the Congress, which is moving ahead and don’t waste time with NCP. I will be a loyal soldier of the party whether or not I am given any responsibility in the party.”
Asked whether the new entrants have been promised tickets for the forthcoming elections, Faleiro said, “They are all senior leaders and have worked for years and hence know politics well. We do not need to give them any assurances.”
Besides Faleiro, Leader of Opposition Pratapsingh Rane, Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar and former Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes were present.
