MARGAO
Even as all eyes are focused on Friday, the time for the withdrawal of candidates for the by-poll for the Benaulim ZP seat, top Congress leaders have gone in a damage control mode by holding interaction with members of the block and other leaders since Wednesday after the party hit rebellion in the Benaulim unit.
Newly-elected South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes also pointed out that though he favoured the continuance of the INDI Alliance, there’s a need to take everyone into confidence. In fact, Viriato said it is still not too late to work out an amicable settlement.
Sources pointed out the Congress leadership on Thursday sent feelers to Royla Fernandes over her decision to quit the party and contest the Benaulim ZP by-poll as an Independent.
Sources further informed that the Congress leadership had a meeting with the members of the Benaulim block in a bid to assuage ruffled feathers after the party decided to extend support to the Aam Aadmi Party for the Benaulim by-poll. In fact, the party leadership had to face the brunt of the Congress leaders and workers from Benaulim over its failure to take the block into confidence before leaving the ZP seat to the Aam Aadmi Party for the coming by-poll.
When the media drew attention of the South Goa MP to resentment brewing amongst the Congress workers of Benaulim over the ZP by-poll, the Captain said he was away in Delhi when the pot was boiling in Goa. “I think the issue needs to be resolved amicably. There ought to be an interaction. Though we have to continue with the INDI Alliance, at the same time we have to take everyone into confidence,” Viriato added.
Meanwhile, with all the nomination papers filed by the candidates found in order during scrutiny, all eyes are now focused on Friday whether any of the Independent candidates will consider withdrawal of their candidature.
