November 30, 2021
GFP President Vijay Sardesai announced that the alliance has been forged with Congress, defeating the incumbent BJP government in Goa led by Pramod Sawant.
Sardesai remarked that he met w Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and said both parties will ‘fight resolutely, wholeheartedly and unitedly’ to defeat the BJP government in the coastal state.
December 1, 2021
Dinesh Gundu Rao says, “No decision yet on alliance with the Goa Forward. The party has extended support to Congress. The final decision on alliance only after elections are announced in the state,” said Gundu Rao.
December 9, 2021, 5.30 pm
Earlier, Chidambaram said “The word alliance is used discriminately. Vijai Sardesai (GFP president) said that he wants to support Congress to bring BJP down and Rahul Gandhi accepted his support,” Chidambaram told in a press conference.
December 9, 2021, 7.22 pm
Dinesh Gundu Rao tweets, “I have invited Sri @VijaiSardesai, President of @Goaforwardparty for a meeting with Sri @girishgoa, President of @INCGoa and others on 11/12/21, 10.00am at Congress Election Office, Patto Plaza, Panjim.”
Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: The Congress, as always, has kept the Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai hanging till the last minute to take a final decision on the alliance for the forthcoming Assembly polls.
While Sardesai maintains that the alliance has been finalized, Congress has continued its flip flop.
The picture of handholding between Vijai Sardesai, Rahul Gandhi, Digambar Kamat, Vinod Palyekar reveals that the alliance is finalized, but that’s doesn’t seem to be the case.
All India Congress Committee (AICC) Goa election in-charge P Chidambaram on Thursday denied any alliance with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) for the 2022 elections; but stated that the regional party wanted to support Congress, which has been agreed upon.
However, hours later, Congress incharge Dinesh Gundu Rao tweeted that he had called for a meeting with Vijai Sardesai on Saturday, 10 am.
“I have invited Sri @VijaiSardesai, President of @Goaforwardparty for a meeting with Sri @girishgoa, President of @INCGoa and others on 11/12/21, 10.00am at Congress Election Office, Patto Plaza, Panjim,” Rao tweeted.
This indicated that the Congress now wants to hold talks with Sardesai for the alliance.
Earlier, Chidambaram said “The word alliance is used discriminately. Vijai Sardesai (GFP president) said that he wants to support Congress to bring BJP down and Rahul Gandhi accepted his support,” Chidambaram told in a press conference.
The AICC leader said that the Congress party is strong enough to defeat the BJP in 2022 and if any party wants to support them, they are welcomed. He also said that the party will field candidates in all 40 constituencies.
The statement comes as a major jolt to GFP, who had announced its alliance with Congress and that their Chief Ministerial candidate will be from the national party. Earlier this month, GFP president had released a picture of “Team Goa” with him, along with MLA Vinod Palyekar, holding hands with Rahul Gandhi, AICC Goa desk in charge Dinesh Gundu Rao and LoP Digambar Kamat.
Speaking further, Chidambaram said that post AICC leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visit, scheduled on Friday, party will go in the next phase of election of finalizing the candidates.
“We will finalize the candidates quickly and go before the central committee. Around 35-36 blocks have already recommended the candidates. We will ensure that our candidates are announced much in advance,” he said.
Former Union Minister, in an indirect dig at Trinamool Congress Party (TMC), said that GPCC is not an “imported party” but a Goa recognized party.
Further, he said that the anti-defection law is effective law, but unfortunately, there are loopholes left, which are being misused by some political parties and leaders.
“We would definitely amend the Anti-Defection Law, once voted to power at the Centre in 2024,” he said.