BASURI DESAI
SALIGAO: Till about a week ago, all seemed fine for Tulio D’Sousa, the finalised Congress candidate for Siolim. And one of his principal opponents was Jayesh Salgaonkar of Goa Forward. Now with a section of the political leadership deciding to unleash the A bomb (alliance bomb) with Goa Froward and the NCP, D’Sousa’s supporters have plunged into uncertainly and so have the supporters of the GF candidates.
“The sudden decision to discuss alliances came as a complete surprise. My campaign was in full swing, and supporters are galvanised. I need time to get on with it,” said D’Sousa who is worried at the uncertainty and what the alliance will be all about. He says that he has been forced to slow down due to the uncertainty.
The Congress has announced 27 candidates in Goa, including in Velim and Cortalim, constituencies that were being sought by the alliance partners. However, they have not announced the candidate in Saligao, where Goa Forward has named Salgaonkar.
D’Sousa who is against the formation of an alliance with regional parties said the Congress cadres are eager to see a change in government in the State and this can be done by electing only a Congress candidate. “Any vote cast to smaller parties will only help the BJP form the government,” he said.
But unfortunately, no one in the Congress is speaking to D’Sousa as no one knows where this will go.
