the goan I network
MARGAO
Ahead of the March 15 Zilla Panchayat polls, the Congress is bracing to accord a red carpet welcome to some sitting as well as former ZP members, besides panchayat leaders in the party-fold, even as the GPCC said the party will only enter into ‘strategic’ understandings with like-minded parties such as MGP to defeat the BJP in both North and South Goa.
Making no secret of the requests received, Congress confirmed the party had been approached by many prospective candidates, but said the party has not taken a decision yet. “The Congress is not in a hurry to take anyone and everyone in the party. But, we have been approached by present and former ZP members, besides Sarpanchas to contest the election on the party banner,” the GPCC chief said, adding that the leadership will take the interest of the party in mind before taking the decision to welcome people into the party-fold.
Meanwhile, the Congress ruled out any formal alliance or tie-up with any political party or group, but hastened to add that they will enter into a strategic understanding in order to defeat the BJP.
“There will be no alliance with any party or group. However, the party will not shy away to support a common candidate fielded by like-minded parities such as MGP to defeat the BJP”, the Congress said.
The Congress statement assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the BJP establishing its rule over the South Goa ZP with support of the MGP in 2015.
With the Congress staying away from ZP polls on party lines in 2015, the BJP-MGP combine which was ruling the state had established its rule at the South Goa ZP with other individual ZP members playing second fiddle to the combine.
