Herald: The deadline given by NCP to Congress to have a pre-poll alliance has ended. What is NCP planning to do now?
Jose Philip D’Souza: Senior leader of NCP Praful Patel, who is the in-charge, had told the media that in 15 days NCP will seal the pre-poll alliance. But it is also true that for good things to happen time is required and therefore there is no need to take harsh decisions. Our senior leaders such as Patel and Sharad Pawar are in discussion with other party leaders. Therefore we just can’t strictly go with the deadline but most importantly we want like-minded parties to come together.
H: Will NCP go for a pre-poll alliance with like-minded parties in Goa?
JD: There is Plan A and B. Plan B can’t be revealed. There are lots of parties like Congress, Goa Forward Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, etc, who are planning to come together and if not then Plan B could be opted for.
H: You had demanded 8 seats from Congress. How many seats will NCP contest in an alliance?
JD: We have given our list. I feel that there is a need to have a roundtable discussion with like-minded parties and after this a final decision should be taken. The number of seats depends on whether there will be an alliance or not. If an alliance is not formed and each party thinks of facing the election expecting to win then it will divide the secular votes and the final result will be obvious.
H: Which are these like-minded parties?
JD: Leaving aside ruling BJP party, like-minded parties are Congress, NCP, GFP, MGP, Shiv Sena and parties that are in favour of an alliance are welcome.
H: If forming an alliance fails, how many seats will NCP contest?
JD: There will be a meeting with our party senior leaders to discuss these issues. I will attend the meeting and we will decide the number of seats NCP will contest. We may even contest 20 to 25 seats, which will make a considerable vote difference to many. What is more important is that like-minded parties must understand that we must get united and if we do not get united then the anti-BJP, secular votes will again go to BJP. We must give a choice to the people by forming a strong alliance. Many people have approached and told me to come together and fight the election. We have to respect the sentiments of people.
H: Many say that NCP has no base in Goa. Is it so?
JD: We know what is our strength and nobody should take NCP lightly. We have our share of voters and people know us. Even one vote makes a lot of difference.
H: Will you admit defectors and field them on party symbol?
JD: No. We are not thinking of it right now but nobody can tell us about tomorrow. All such things will be taken care of only after a discussion between like-minded parties.
H: Your lone MLA was never with the opposition and Congress says that he is an opportunist. Comment.
JD: No, our MLA is not an opportunist. But his thinking is that there should be development in his constituency. Therefore he goes to the Chief Minister and gets his work done. But this shows his love and concern for his people and his own constituency. People have elected Churchill Alemao to do their work and therefore he is doing his work.
H: In the 2017 polls, you waited till the last minute for an alliance but it failed. Now too there is no response from Congress. What do you think?
JD: This was a big mistake in 2017, that’s why I have started emphasising on like-minded political parties coming together and forming the alliance. In 2017, our leader Praful Patel, myself, GFP leader Vijai Sardesai and others had attended one meeting but finally there was no outcome and that was our mistake. I have been repeatedly reminding everyone to follow one formula and go ahead and if not then this time people will not show mercy.
H: Why are you shifting to Dabolim from your home turf Vasco where you won twice?
JD: There is a reason for shifting to Dabolim constituency from Vasco. In my previous victories, I might have contested from Vasco and won, but 60 per cent of my sincere voters now come under Dabolim. In 1991, areas such as New Vaddem, Vaddem and Chicalim were in Vasco and those people supported me. In 2007, I won because of my voters from New Vaddem, Vaddem, Airport road area and Chicalim. But in 2012, there was delimitation and my 16,000 voters from Vasco were shifted to Dabolim. Observing this, I have decided to contest from Dabolim. All these years my voters from these areas have been in constant touch and they are happy with me. People see me as a choice. In my opinion an MLA must respect his voters. Voter is superior and because of their votes we win.
