the goan I network
PONDA
The Congress party’s decision to support Goa Forward Party at the sarpanch’s election in Curti-Khandepar panchayat has not gone down well with local Congress supporters, with many fearing that this development could unnecessarily strengthen the new regional party in Ponda constituency.
The BJP, Congress and Goa Forward Party (GFP) had joined hands on Tuesday to displace the MGP from taking control of the Curti-Khandepar panchayat, by getting GFP supporter Santan Fernandes elected as sarpanch.
The crucial support of Congress-backed panch Dadi Naik to get Fernandes elected as sarpanch has angered many Congress supporters, who have claimed that Congress leaders have given easy access to GFP to woo Congress supporters in Ponda constituency.
“We had strongly objected to this move of supporting GFP. Our leaders should have understood that the votebank of BJP and MGP is intact. But giving access to GFP by giving them power in Ponda constituency is shooting ourselves in the foot,” complained a long-time Congress supporter from Ponda.
“We were against an alliance with BJP and GFP, but our views were sidelined by the party leaders.”
“Our supporter and Panch member Bhika Kerkar has also left us and joined the MGP some months ago. This happened only because of local politics. This situation will only help GFP to dent us further,” the Congress worker added.
MGP sources confirmed that Bhika Kerkar is with them and an official entry is awaited.
When contacted, Ponda Congress Booth president Arun Gudekar said they would not hesitate to changing strategies if they foresee any damage by GFP.
“The strategy on Tuesday was on the basis of a situation and out strategies will change depending on the situation. As we are in opposition, there are possibilities that supporters may want to leave us and go. But we will take care that nobody leaves the Congress,” Gudekar said.
Asked if Congress supporters could leave the party to join GFP, Gudekar replied: “No. We will change our strategies as per situation and when needed.”
