MARGAO
On the eve of the self-imposed deadline set by the regional party, the Congress has reached out to the Goa Forward Party (GFP) to initiate talks on a possible alliance for the upcoming Goa Assembly elections.
While reiterating that the GFP remains open to an alliance with like-minded parties, party president Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday said the party has already begun groundwork not only to defeat the ruling BJP but also to present an alternative model of governance for Goa.
Sardesai confirmed that he had received a message from Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar proposing discussions on a pre-poll alliance. However, he stressed that any talks must be concluded without further delay, noting that the Assembly elections could be held within the next six months.
"GPCC president Girish Chodankar has sent me a message saying that he is travelling to Tamil Nadu and will return by July 5. He has called for talks between the two parties. We are open to discussions with like-minded parties, but everyone must understand that the Assembly elections are due this year. Whatever has to happen regarding an alliance should happen immediately, without any further delay," Sardesai said.
When asked about the Election Commission stepping up poll preparedness while opposition parties were yet to finalise alliance negotiations, Sardesai said the Goa Forward Party was moving ahead with its own election preparations. "We have already started our work for the upcoming elections as a political party. Our activities are taking place across the state with the objective of contesting the Assembly elections," he said.
Sardesai said the party was also awaiting the findings of an ongoing political survey, which would help determine its electoral strategy. "The Goa Forward Party will take its next steps once we receive the analytical data from the survey. Wherever the survey shows that the regional party has traction in a constituency, we will move in accordingly," he said.
He added that the party's preparations extended beyond electoral strategy. "We are not only preparing for the elections but also working on an alternative model of governance to the BJP. This model will be placed in the public domain and discussed with the people of Goa as part of our vision for the state," Sardesai said.
