Team Herald
PANJIM: Claiming that the BJP in Goa can be only defeated by a third non-Congress regional entity in the 2017 Assembly elections, three Independent MLAs — Vijai Sardessai (Fatorda), Rohan Khaunte (Porvorim) and Naresh Sawal (Bicholim) have joined hands together to back the like-minded people to launch a Regional Political Front on January 26. The regional entity will contest all the 40 Assembly constituencies.
The legislators said the third alternative may not involve too many sitting MLAs but would instead prefer the common man with new faces and a winnability factor.
Addressing a joint press conference, the MLAs said on January 26, 2016,the people of Goa will form a new political entity, which would be the voice of the people of Goa. “The Constitution of India came into force on January 26, 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India. Hence January 26 is known as the Republic Day. So on the same day (Jan 26), next year, people of Goa will get the good news. We will back people’s voice and help them in forming the regional political entity,” Sardessai said.
“We will not be a part of the party but yes we will extend full support to the party,” said the MLA, who was once close to opposition Congress but now at loggerheads. Khaunte and Sawal, had initially extended their support to the then Manohar Parrikar-led government in 2012. However, with Laxmikant Parsekar taking over the reigns, both have openly gone against BJP in the recent past.
Speaking to Herald on the sidelines of the press conference, Sardessai said all the three Independent MLAs will support the people to form a strong regional entity. “The party will be the voice of Goans and work for the upliftment of the people of the state. It will also raise pertinent issues which the successive governments shied away from,” he said.
Asked about the rumours of being in talks with BJP alliance partners MGP, Sardessai ruled out any possibility of having association with MGP, not at least until they are part of the government. “We will not like to have too many sitting MLAs with us…it is better to go alone with new faces,” he said.
For over past 10 months, the like-minded persons in the State have been discussing the creation of a third alternative with the support of Independent MLAs. Both the national parties, the Congress and BJP today are facing the brunt of several groups and movements as the BJP has become arrogant and made several U-turns regarding major decisions and the Congress has failed to rise to the occasion as a strong opposition.
