the goan I network
MARGAO
A day after flamboyant MLA Mickky Pacheco severed ties with the Goa Vikas Party, leadership of the regional party disclosed plans to field as many as five candidates in the 2017 Assembly election.
The party has further decided to hold elections on January 9 to elect a new president to lead the party in the 2017 election.
Party general secretary, Lyndon Monteiro told The Goan that the party is all geared up to contest five Assembly seats, four in Salcete, including Mickky Pacheco’s Nuvem constituency, Benaulim, Velim and Fatorda. The party has also set its eyes on neighbouring Cortalim constituency. “For the moment, we have decided to contest elections in five constituencies, four in Salcete and the lone constituency of Cortalim in Mormugao,” Lyndon said, adding that the party will take a call in the coming day whether to contest more seats.
While saying that he will not throw his hat in the electoral ring in Nuvem against party ex-MLA Mickky Pacheco given that his presence will be required to prepare the party’s groundwork, Lyndon, however, made it very clear that the party will field a candidate against Mickky. He further asserted that the GVP will go all out to retain the Benaulim seat, saying the party will soon unveil its candidate for Benaulim constituency.
Asked to comment whether the GVP will align with the BJP in the election, Lyndon reminded that the GVP is a coalition partner of the BJP-led government, while not ruling out any possibility. “I do not want to rule out any possibility for the moment whether the GVP will tie-up with the BJP or not. You have to understand that the GVP is BJP’s alliance partner. I do not rule out any possibility for the moment. The party is weighing all options,” Lyndon said, while keeping all cards close to his chest.
When asked whether the GVP leadership had any talks with BJP leaders on the proposed alliance, Lyndon said the GVP leaders met the CM and other leaders given that both are coalition partners.
