MARGAO
In a surprise development, All India Mahila Congress (AIMC) general secretary Monica Dias has appealed to the Goa Congress leaders to learn from the mistakes of the last election and to join hands with the newly-formed Vijai Sardesai-led Goa Forward Party to offer a viable alternative to the BJP.
Endorsing statements by senior Congress leaders, including Ramakant Khalap that Congress should seriously consider an alliance with the Goa Forward party and should be part of an united front to dislodge the BJP from power, Monica said Goa Forward has the backing of three young and dynamic Independent Legislators “ Naresh Sawal, Rohan Khaunte and Vijai Sardesai. She said the three Independent MLAs have made it clear that they are willing to ally with all democratic, secular and progressive forces to defeat the communal and the corrupt BJP.
“Goa has suffered the maximum under the BJP rule and the Congress party should respect the sentiments of all Goans, who wish that an united front be put to defeat the communal forces," she said, adding that local Congress leaders and workers should heed the advise of a senior leader such as Khalap, who knows the ins and outs of Goan politics and should immediately start to work for such an alliance.
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Sonia to take call on alliance: Luizinho
MARGAO
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Luizinho Faleiro has said that his stand that all secular parties should come together to fight the divisive forces finally stands vindicated.
He, however, said that the question of forging an alliance with any other political party in Goa to fight the 2017 Assembly election, will be taken by Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
Commenting on the views expressed in many quarters, including some Congress leaders that Congress should be open for an alliance with the newly formed Goa Forward party, Faleiro reminded that he had been trying to bring secular forces together since the time he took over the party reigns around a year and two months ago. “I had even offered the post of deputy leader of the Opposition to the opposition forces in an attempt to bring them under the joint opposition secular alliance," Faleiro said.
He, however, lamented that those who now seemed open for an alliance had tried to portray the Congress as a “social club”.
Replying to a question, he said that Congress President Sonia Gandhi will take the final call on the question of forging alliance in Goa for the 2017 Assembly election. Faleiro, however, recalled that announcement made by AICC general secretary in-charge of Goa desk, Digvijai Singh that there’s right now no alliance with any party or groups and the question will be decided at a later stage.
To another question, Faleiro said he is presently on a mission to build the Congress organisation as per the brief given to him by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, adding that he has not come to Goa to preside over the destruction of the Congress party in the State.
