Photo caption.
Navelim Independent candidate Cipru Cardozo addressing the media along with GFP President Prabhakar Timble and others. Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
It’s official. The Goa Forward Party has formally declared its support to Independent candidate Cipru Cardozo for the Navelim seat, in a bid to checkmate the return of State Congress President Luizinho Faleiro in the constituency.
The GFP further said it is not against the Congress party and will work with the Congress despite betrayal and insults, but has made it abundantly clear that the party will have no alliance with the Congress if Luizinho Faleiro is calling the shots.
Briefing the media in the presence of Cipru, Goa Forward Party President Prabhakar Timble said that Cipru has been emerging as the front runner in Navelim, saying that his victory will be a foregone conclusion with the backing of the GFP. “Cipru has been with the Goa Forward movement since its inception. He was actively involved with all the agitations of GFP, whether it is opposition to nationalisation of Goa’s rivers or asserting the rights of Goan youth for employment," Timble said.
He said that field reports from Navelim clearly indicate Cipru’s victory against Luizinho and Avertano who are locked up fighting for the second position. “The singular aim of GFP is to defeat the BJP and for this, the GFP has to also defeat the candidate fixed and in a hidden alliance with the BJP," he said.
Speaking on the occasion, GFP chief spokesperson Prashant Naik said that GFP is not against the Congress party and will work with the Congress despite betrayal and insults. “GFP is clear that BJP should be ousted, but there can be no alliance with the Congress if Faleiro, who is fixed with Parrikar, is calling the shots," Naik added.
In his brief address, Cipru said he has been actively involved with Goa Forward since its formation. “I have participated in all protests organised by the GFP, such as opposition to nationalisation of rivers, employment for local youth, protest to preserve coconut tree, etc. I know the GFP vision and agenda for Goa. I am with GFP and with Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn. I will stand together with GFP in the Assembly and on the field," he added.
Saying there is no case pending against him in the court, Cipru said rumours of his disqualification is spread to confuse the voters by his political opponents, who are confident of their defeat.
