the goan I network
MARGAO
Apparently trying to convey the message that his entry into the NCP is unconditional, Churchill told the media that he has joined the NCP with an open mind to take the party forward, making it clear that though the party leadership had requested him to lead the party, he said Jose Philip D’Souza will head the State unit of the NCP.
“I have been told that the NCP is in talks with the Congress party on alliance. If the alliance does not take place, I have the capacity to go to all the 40 Assembly constituencies. I have faith in my people and NCP will be a force to reckon with in Goa,” while exuding confidence that the people of Goa will rally behind him.
Replying to a question, Churchill said that the infightings in the Congress camp, with some raising objections to party veterans contesting the elections, finally made him to think twice of returning to the Congress party.
NCP State President Jose Philip D’Souza said that Churchill’s entry into the NCP is just the beginning, saying that many leaders are expected to join the NCP in the days to come. While welcoming Churchill into the party fold, Jose Philip said that Churchill is a big leader, having worked with the poor and the downtrodden over the years. “I had invited Churchill to lead the NCP, but he said he would only work for the party,”
he said.
NCP Goa desk in-charge, Nawab Mallik said that both Churchill and Jose Philip D’Souza would lead the NCP in the coming election.
“We had asked Churchill to head the party, but he
declined saying that he would be content to work as a solider of the party,” Nawab said.
Churchill joined the NCP by opening his election office at Benaulim, followed by a public meeting which was attended by the NCP leaders, besides Benaulim Sarpanch Remy Fernandes and others.
The office was blessed by Fr Eremito Coutinho.
While the NCP top brass descended at Benaulim to welcome Churchill into the party, Churchill’s family members, including wife Fatima, daughter Valanka, son Savio, brother Kennedy were amongst those present on
the occasion.
In case of alliance, NCP will demand
7 seats: Mallik
MARGAO: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Goa desk in-charge, Nawab Mallik has said the NCP will be content if the Congress leaves the party with seven seats, including Benaulim and Vasco, even as he said that alliance talks are underway at the highest level in Delhi, to avoid split in the secular votes.
The party further said that the NCP has staked claim for the Navelim Assembly seat, besides Cortalim, Nuvem and Sanguem.
“The NCP will be pragmatic in our approach over the alliance. Last time, the party was left with seven seats and we would expect the Congress to leave seven seats this time too,” he said, adding that NCP supremo Sharad Pawar and Party general secretary Praful Patel are in talks with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Goa desk in-charge, Digvijaya Singh respectively to forge an alliance ahead of the 2017 Assembly election. Asked to name the seven seats the NCP would like to contest in the coming election, Nawab said the party expects inter-changing of some seats, making it clear that the party has staked claim for the
Navelim seat.
