PANAJI
Accusing the Congress of leaving alliance talks with both parties hanging, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Shiv Sena on Wednesday announced a pre-poll alliance in Goa, as part of which both parties would contest "10-12 seats" each in the 40-member State legislative assembly.
Addressing a press conference in Panaji, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut and NCP leader Praful Patel also said that both parties had desired an alliance in Goa on the lines of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra, accusing the Congress of refusing to play ball.
"We had thought that we should extend the MVA from Maharashtra to Goa. Congress should play the major role and we (NCP and Shiv Sena) would contest some seats," Patel told reporters.
"We tried to speak to the Congress. We said let us work together so we can take on the government. Sanjay Raut on behalf of Shiv Sena made a similar offer... But they never said no nor yes. They did not give us adequate seats," he said, adding that the Congress did not give a concrete response to Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray's requests for an alliance.
"NCP-Sena had a discussion and we will be fighting elections together. We will field 10 to 12 candidates from each party. We have not decided on the number yet. The names of the candidates will be finalised in the next three-four days," Patel said.
