MARGAO:
The nascent regional party, however, would like the Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and the BJP leadership to discuss the finalisation of the candidate with the alliance partners.
The GFP’s stand assumes significance in view of media reports that the BJP has shortlisted as many as seven candidates for the ensuing election. It is all the more significant given that the names of BJP leaders such as Rajendra Arlekar and Damu Naik are figuring in the list.
It is not out of place to mention here that there’s been no love lost between Goa Forward Supremo Vijai Sardesai and Damu Nailk, while the TCP Minister has not been enjoying the best of relationship with Rajendra Arlekar.
When The Goan contacted the TCP Minister to shed light on the party’s stand on the coming election, he sought to remind that the Goa Forward is an alliance partner of the NDA, indicating that the GF is not against supporting the BJP fielded candidate.
He, however, hastened to add that nothing has been decided on the candidate. We don’t go by what the media says. The CM has not discussed with the alliance partners on the candidate. We are waiting for him to hold discussion with the partners before finalizing the candidate, Sardesai said. Political observers said though the alliance partners would like the BJP leadership to consult them on the choice of candidate, they are unlikely to precipitate matters for Parrikar knowing well that a defeat of the ruling candidate in the ensuing election may trigger the fall of the government which the partners would not like to happen.
