MARGAO
The much-anticipated crucial meeting of the Congress and Goa Forward Party took place in a city hotel here on Saturday, with GPCC chief Girish Chodankar saying the meeting has decided to take forward what has been decided earlier, even as the Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai virtually left the issue of alliance in the court of the Congress.
Sardesai further said since the Congress speak in different voices on the issue of alliance, they have to resolve their differences and get back to the Goa Forward. “The ball lies in their court,” he added.
The GPCC chief led the Congress party delegation comprising of Opposition leader, Digambar Kamat, working president Reginaldo Lourenco and party Goa desk in-charge, Dinesh Gundu Rao. The Goa Forward delegation comprised of Sardesai and party leaders, Mohandas Lolienkar, Dilip Prabhudesai, Akbar Mulla and others.
This is perhaps the first time that the GPCC chief was involved in discussions with the Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai over the issue of alliance.
Sources said the body language and reactions of leaders of the two parties did not inspire much confidence in the talks on alliance between the two sides.
Opposition leader Digambar Kamat, who was the first to leave hotel La Grace Majestic, only said the two sides held normal discussions.
GPCC chief Girish Chodankar said the two sides discussed what was decided earlier, saying the two sides have decided to stay together. He added that the remaining things will be decided at a later stage. Asked to elaborate on the discussions, Girish said, “We have had discussions how to move forward.” When asked whether he is happy over the discussions, the GPCC chief said, “We have discussed who all of us should come together.”
When questioned further, he said, Goa desk in-charge, Dinesh Gundu Rao will further discuss the issue of alliance and seat-sharing.
When Dinesh Gundu Rao was asked for his reaction, he said, the discussions will continue, saying the two sides had healthy and good discussions in a friendly manner, promising to further continue the discussions.
The Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai, however, said he has left the issue of alliance in the court of the Congress party. “I have attended today’s meeting in order to take forward the initiative of Rahul Gandhi. What was to be discussed has been discussed. We have come for the meeting to give respect to Rahul Gandhi. The ball now lies in the court of the Congress,” he said.
When the media questioned whether he is happy with the outcome of the meeting, Sardesai shot back, “Let the Congress say whether the talks were fruitful or not.”
Asked for his response to the meeting, Sardesai further shot back, “response it not enough. We are 40-50 days to an election. We have to take decisions.”
When it was pointed out to him that body language does not say he is happy with the outcome, the Goa Forward chief said, “I have been speaking on the issue of alliance for two years. It is now too late. We should now ensure we do not lose what is with us. Unfortunately, many things are happening.”
