PANJIM: Hectic political activity is underway in the State as, ahead of counting votes on Thursday, major political parties have been sending feelers to smaller parties and independents of possible post-poll tie-ups to assume power.
The Congress party, which has been upbeat since the polling day, had holed up its candidates in a resort at Bambolim. But on Wednesday shifted them to another hotel in South Goa. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on the other hand met its candidates at a starred hotel in Panjim and has scheduled a meeting of its MLAs-elect at 4pm on Thursday.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar on Wednesday said that all those who had fought against the BJP will come together and form the new government. He said that Goans have voted decisively in this election and it has to be a government of the Goans.
Chodankar said that the Congress is firm on the faith and trust reposed by the people of Goa and will not betray them.
Asked whether the Congress will seek the support of other parties if it fails to secure a majority, Chodankar claimed that the Congress will secure an absolute majority but it will take all like-minded parties together so that it will be people’s government.
The Congress president said all parties have understood sentiments of the people. “Leaders of many political parties have conveyed to our leadership that in no way they will go with BJP and would like to support the Congress party.”
Chodankar expressed confidence that the regional MGP will not align with the BJP. No political party would like to commit suicide by aligning with the BJP, he added.
Chodankar further said that the party leaders are also in talks with the AAP leaders for post-poll tie-up in the State.
BJP Goa election in-charge Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that the Bharatiya Janata Party will win the Goa Assembly polls with a thumping majority. Fadnavis arrived in Goa a day before the poll results even as senior leaders from Congress and Trinamool Congress Party are already camping in Goa to ensure their winning candidates stay put with the party.
“I am absolutely sure that BJP will get good results, people are ready to come with us and with them, we will get a thumping majority,” he said, hinting at a post post-poll alliance. The Maharastrawadi Gomantak Party, which already has tied up with the TMC has been showing its interest to align with any political party that gets a majority to form the next government in Goa.
Taking a jibe at the Congress for ‘locking up its candidates’ ahead of the results the BJP leader said, “How can Congress form the government if it does not trust its own MLAs and locks them up?” The party leaders held a meeting of their candidates and office bearers at a starred hotel in the capital city on Wednesday evening. The meeting discussed the future strategy, that is, post poll scene.
This comes after the exit polls predicted a hung Assembly in Goa with a close contest between the BJP and Congress.
While Fadnavis has shown keen interest in a tie up, CM Dr Pramod Sawant is confident that BJP will form a government without any alliance. “We are confident and all our candidates are excited about the win tomorrow. We will form the government,” he said, adding that the party has already scheduled a meeting of its MLAs at 4pm in the head office of the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is when the State will have a clear picture about the winning and losing parties and the candidates.
