PORVORIM
Former minister Francisco (Mickky) Pacheco rejoined the Goa Vikas Party (GVP) on Friday, amid plans by the party to contest around 20 seats in the forthcoming assembly election.
Addressing a news conference at Porvorim on Friday, GVP President Sarvesh Bandodkar said the party is open to an alliance with other like-minded parties.
“The party plans to contest around 20 seats in the forthcoming assembly election, and has not come into existence to split votes of any political party but to work for the betterment of Goa,” said Bandodkar.
“There are rumours that the GVP is funded by a big political party to split votes. This is not correct. The party will contest the election on the same symbol of two candles.”
“The aim of the GVP is to strengthen its grassroots and focus on the progress of farmers, fishing communities, skill development of youths, employment, women empowerment, etc. At present, we see only infrastructure development in Goa, but there is no human development,” he added.
Pacheco said he had left the party earlier on account of some misunderstanding with office bearers.
“I will now concentrate on the development of the party. Initially, I will make efforts to strengthen 12 blocks where I have a hold,” said Pacheco.
“Nowadays, people are staging protests on the roads and at Azad Maidan to press for their demands. This is not fair. People should hold the protests at the doorsteps of their elected representatives and make them answerable.”
“The aim of the party is to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party, and I would be in favour of an alliance with other parties, if required, in the interest of Goa. Our party would strengthen the regional forces and strive to provide better service to the people,” said Pacheco.
