PANAJI
The Congress and Goa Forward Party have finally decided to forge a pre-poll alliance to contest the assembly elections, after Goa Forward Party supremo Vijai Sardessai along with Opposition Leader Digamber Kamat met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Delhi. However, there was no discussion on seat sharing at the meeting.Sanguem’s Independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar and Congress Goa state incharge Dinesh Gundu Rao were also present at the meeting with Gandhi.
"A discussion regarding alliance with NCP will also be done,” said Kamat.
Tweeting a message, Sardesai shared a photograph with Gandhi, stating: “Met Rahul Gandhi along with my colleagues @ prasad Goankr13 and @ vinod palyenkar. We agreed to fight resolutely, wholeheartedly and unitedly on behalf of the people of #Goa to end the utterly corrupt, incompetent and undemocratic reign of @BJP Goa.”
Rao also sent out a tweet to confirm the meeting between leaders of the two parties.
Interestingly, Goa Pradesh Congress President Girish Chodankar and Goa Forward’s Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaonkar were not present at the meeting.
While there has been no official discussion on seat sharing at the meeting, the Goa Forward is reported to have demanded Fatorda, Siolim and Mayem constituencies.
"We have decided to contest together to defeat BJP. The seat sharing decision will be taken in subsequent discussions,” said Kamat.
Gaonkar’s presence at the meeting clearly indicated that he has dropped plans to enter the TMC. His supporters had joined the TMC and he was supposed to enter the party.
There are also speculations that Goa Forward’s Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaokar has moved closer to Ports Minister Michael Lobo, prompting him to remain absent at the meeting. However, Salgaonkar could not be contacted to respond to these speculations.
