MARGAO
The Grand Opposition Alliance (GOA) — comprising the Congress, the Goa Forward Party, and the Revolutionary Goans Party — appears to be hanging in the balance, as the principal Opposition party has taken a firm stand that it will not compromise on certain principles, particularly concerning defections and defectors.
It remains unclear whether the Congress will distance itself from alliance partners who choose to induct defectors into their ranks. Clarity on this key issue is expected after a meeting between Congress leaders—GPCC Chief Amit Patkar and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao—and Goa Forward Party Chief Vijai Sardesai.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao stressed the importance of adhering to the “alliance dharma,” noting that alliance partners cannot begin campaigning for candidates while fundamental issues remain unresolved. “When we speak about an alliance, we cannot start the campaign of the contesting candidates. The people of Goa are watching what is happening in the State,” he cautioned.
Members of the Congress coordination committee comprising of GPCC chief Amit Patkar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, MLA Altone D’Costa, MP Viriato Fernandes, ex-GPCC chief Girish Chodankar and Party senior vice-president M K Sheikh went into a huddle at the South Goa district office on Saturday morning. While the Congress leaders took stock about the upcoming Zilla panchayat election, Goa Forward party’s decision to induct former MLA Isidore in the party figured prominently at the meeting.
After the meeting, Opposition leader Yuri expressed confidence that the Opposition parties will get together to make a new beginning in the interest of the State. He, however, hastened to add that the party will not compromise on certain principles including defections.
GPCC Chief Patkar said the party has taken cognisance of the political developments in the Opposition camp during the last three days. He, however, said the party will seek clarity at a meeting scheduled with Sardesai. “We will discuss the issue of defections with Sardesai. We will brief the media on the situation after a meeting with the Goa Forward Chief”, he added.
Opposition leader Yuri said that the state party leadership has received directions from the party high command to discuss and bring all the non-BJP parties on one platform to defeat the BJP.
“Till November 16, we have been together and suddenly the issue of defections has come to the fore. It is high time we take a decision on the alliance, but at the same time the Congress will not compromise on defections”, he said.
He added: “The Congress will not tolerate on defections. We are fighting the defectors in the court. What message will we send across if we compromise our principles on defectors”.
Both Patkar and Yuri said the Congress is all geared up for the upcoming ZP polls, saying “we have not yet announced the candidates since the Opposition parties are yet to stitch the alliance. Once that issue is resolved, the candidates will be announced. In places where there is no dispute, our candidates have already started the campaign”.
