Goa Polls 2017: Cong locked in a seat-sharing tussle with Goa Forward

Differences cropped up between Congress and Goa Forward parties on Thursday over seat sharing for the upcoming Goa assembly polls.

In order to iron out the differences, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh is scheduled to visit Goa on Friday, a party functionary said.

Congress had earlier announced candidates for 36 constituencies for the elections to the 40-seat Goa Assembly and kept four constituencies for seat-sharing agreement, including Fatorda assembly segment represented by Goa Forward leader Vijai Sardesai.

However, in a sudden turn of events, Congress on Wednesday fielded its candidate Joseph Silva against Sardesai putting a condition that they will withdraw the candidate there (Fatorda) if Goa Forward withdraws its candidate in Velim and Saligao constituencies, where Congress has fielded the candidates.

Congress had announced seat sharing with Goa Forward in Fatorda and Siolim constituencies.

“We won’t compromise on Velim and Saligao seats, if they (Goa Forward) are withdrawing their candidates only then we can consider about withdrawing candidate from Fatorda constituency,” AICC secretary Girish Chodankar told reporters.

“The Congress party, from the day one, has been consistently talking against the alliance with other political parties in Goa to fight the upcoming assembly election,” he said.

Chodankar confirmed that Singh would arrive in Goa and during his visit the issue would be raised.

When contacted, Goa Forward party president Prabhakar Timble ruled out the party (GF) would withdraw its candidates from Saligao and Velim constituencies.

“Goa Forward Party kept the word of four seats and did not play truant. We digested the insults and backstabbing.  Congress, through its conduct, says Goans are fools to keep trust in that party and their political leadership,” he said.

“They stand exposed and the personal ego and selfish ambitions of their leaders superseded genuine interests of Goans. Hope, they improve their credibility graph after date of polling,” he said.