MARGAO
Congress member Mickky Pacheco on Friday insisted that the party should not go for a tie-up with the Goa Forward or the NCP in the upcoming polls, asserting that he decided to return to Benaulim for the 2022 Assembly election.
Without naming any party leader, Mickky directed his tirade at two party leaders, sending a message loud and clear that he means business. Apart from Benaulim, Mickky said he would devote attention in strengthening the party in the adjoining Fatorda constituency represented by Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai.
Mickky further said that 90 per cent of the Congress rank and file are opposed to any alliance and look forward to the party leadership to go it alone in the upcoming election.
Addressing the media, Mickky said he had decided to join the Congress after it was agreed that the party will contest the 2022 election from Benaulim. In fact, he pointed out that he had given an assurance to the Congress party that he would ensure that the Benaulim seat comes back to the Congress after a gap of 20 years.
Referring to the 15-day ultimatum set by the NCP leadership to decide on the alliance, Mickky said the Congress leadership should under no circumstances go in for an alliance. “The Congress had agreed that the party would field me in Benaulim in the 2022 election. I had also assured to get the Congress flag flying high in Benaulim in the coming election. In these circumstances, the Congress should not go for an alliance with the NCP by conceding the seat to the NCP”, he asserted.
He added: “The NCP and the Goa forward are asking for 18 seats. People of Goa are not in favour of a Congress tie-up with these parties. They are blackmailing the Congress by setting deadlines and threatening to open office in Margao. Our leadership should not fall prey to these tactics”.
When the media sought to know if he would contest as an independent from Benaulim if the Congress goes for an alliance with the NCP and Goa Forward, Mickky shot back “that question does not arise since I have full confidence the party will not concede Benaulim to the NCP”.
