MARGAO
Notwithstanding the bravado displayed in the State capital, exuding confidence of forming an alliance government, the Congress is believed to have mulled a plan B to cobble the required numbers in the event the party emerges as a single largest party.
Sources said the Congress is also expected to weigh the option of doing business either with the Trinamool Congress or the Aam Admi Party if these parties bag a couple of seats, though many say the party leadership in Delhi may not be open in seeking help of AAP as the party has emerged as the Congress party’s principal opponent in the State of Punjab.
The Congress, sources said, may also be open to doing business with the Nationalist Congress Party if the party pockets a seat or two, including Velim where ex-Minister Filipe Nery Rodrigues is contesting on the party Clock symbol. The Congress is presently in alliance with the NCP in neighbouring Maharashtra.
In fact, given that the BJP leadership may go all out to wean away the successful independent candidates on its side, sources said Congress leaders are believed to have already zeroed in on a couple of Independents, in both North and South Goa and may formally approach them after getting the green signal from the party leadership.
Sources in the know say the party leadership may soon swing into action in Salcete, assuming that NCP candidate Filipe Nery Rodrigues and Independent candidate Reginaldo Lourenco win the polls to get them to support the Congress government. Sources said though Filipe Nery was a Minister in the BJP-led government in the last two years and half, he was part of the Digambar Kamat-led government in 2007-12 holding the Forest portfolio.
Sources said the Congress may turn to Alliance partner, Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai to try and explore the possibility of getting Independent candidate Reginaldo Lourenco in the event of his victory in Curtorim.
Sources pointed out that the Congress is open in seeking the support of another Independent candidate from Mormugao taluka, who may have a chance of making it to the Legislative Assembly.
Congress leaders in private appear worried that the party’s tally may go down in the event the TMC wins the two seats of Benaulim and Navelim or the Benaulim seat goes to the AAP. The tally may go down further if both NCP candidate Filipe Nery and Independent candidate Reginaldo Lourenco makes it to the Assembly from Velim and Curtorim. “In the event the Congress lose Benaulim, Navelim, Velim and Curtorim, it would mean the party will have to be content with only three seats in Salcete.
The party will then need the numbers to form the government if it emerges as a single largest party”, remarked a Congress leader.
