Party waits for clarity on GFP–RGP alliance
PANAJI
With alliance talks still in progress for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat elections, the Congress has decided to release its list of candidates for constituencies where there is no proposed tie-up with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) or the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP).
The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakre, AICC co-incharge Anjali Nimbalkar, GPCC Chief Amit Patkar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and others. The GFP has suggested that Congress contest 30 seats, while leaving 10 seats each for GFP and RGP.
Speaking to the media after a series of meetings, Patkar said discussions with both parties are under way, with two rounds of talks already held on seat sharing.
Patkar said the party will first announce candidates in constituencies where there are no disputes or ongoing alliance negotiations. “We have almost finalised the candidates in those constituencies where we are not currently negotiating with alliance partners. The first list will be declared soon,” he said.
All 50 Zilla Panchayat constituencies will go to the polls on December 20. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has already released two lists of candidates.
Meanwhile, GFP Chief Vijai Sardesai said he has submitted a detailed seat-sharing plan to the Congress. Under his proposal, Congress would contest 30 seats, while GF and RG would get 10 each.
Sardesai said the three parties are assessing their ground-level strength before finalising seat allocation. “Talks are on and they are going smoothly. We are checking our strength in each constituency before taking a final call,” he said.
He also criticised the BJP, saying the ruling party is busy attacking opposition talks instead of releasing its own list of candidates. Sardesai further claimed that the BJP plans to offer its ally MGP only three ZP seats.
