Civic body polls: Oppn inching towards alliance

NT NETWORK

Margao

Joining forces against the BJP in the civic body elections in the state,    Opposition parties – the Congress,  the Nationalist  Congress  Party    and  the Goa Forward Party –  held a closed door meeting in pursuance of an alliance to defeat the candidates that will be supported by the ruling BJP during the municipal polls.

The meeting, which was held at a hotel at Fatorda, was attended by Opposition leader  Digambar Kamat,  GFP chief Vijai Sardesai,  NCP Goa chief Jose Philip  D’Souza and Benaulim legislator Churchill Alemao. 

It is pertinent to note here that the civic body polls are not held on party lines, but political parties support the candidates.

The meeting was held on the heels of the BJP-backed panel releasing the list of candidates for the Margao municipality poll.

Speaking after the meeting, Sardesai maintained that the meeting gauged people’s sentiments for Opposition’s unity to defeat BJP-backed candidates.   

D’Souza said the NCP’s high command has favoured formation of an alliance of Opposition parties for the municipal polls.

However, sources clarified that formation of the alliance has been considered only for the municipal polls.

“The central leadership of the party has asked us to coordinate with political parties at local level and try to form a good panel for the civic body polls. Our talks are on with like-minded parties to support candidates in the municipal elections, as our main aim is to defeat the BJP anywhere and everywhere,” the Opposition leader said. 

Petitions have been filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa over the delimitation and reservation of municipal wards.

 “We expect that High Court’s order on the ward reservations matter will come by Monday. We will come out with candidate panels once the verdict is delivered,’’ Kamat said.

Pitching for the unity of the Opposition, Sardesai said the political parties are of the opinion that they should come together for the civic body polls.

D’Souza also indicated readiness for a united fight against the BJP-backed nominees, and said that final decision on the matter will be taken once the High Court gives its verdict.