Cong reaches out to political forces

While conceding that the Congress would emerge as a single-largest party, Girish said the party will cross the magic figure of 21 seats to get a simple majority with the support and backing of all forces that had decisively fought to defeat the BJP.

“The government that would be formed in Goa will not only be of the Congress but will be run by the people of Goa. Those who had fought against the BJP should come together to form this government of the people of Goa”, he told the media before heading to Hotel La Majestic, where party candidates and leaders had assembled on Wednesday evening for a meeting.

Asked to elaborate on whether his offer to the non-BJP parties and individuals to join hands to form the next government implies all these players will be part of the new government, Girish said these parties and individuals should come and form a government that will be run by the people of Goa.

On MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar’s statement that he would stake a claim for the post of Chief Minister, Girish said all these issues will come up once the results are out.

He also said that the meeting of party candidates scheduled on Wednesday evening is to take stock of the situation ahead of the counting on Thursday, while firmly saying the meeting has not been called to discuss the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leadership.

The GPCC Chief’s statement on government formation with like-minded parties assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of reports that certain party leaders have adopted a pick and choose approach picking the partners of their choice while leaving others behind.

In fact, political observers had warned Congress not to go for the pick and choose approach cautioning that the party leadership that such an approach may cost the party in the long run.