Infighting in Goa Congress over pre-poll alliance

Panaji: Goa Congress leaders are engaged in a war of words over the issue of pre-poll alliance with like-minded parties for the state Assembly elections due next year.

Two days ago senior Congress leader and former state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, son of Leader of Opposition in state Assembly Pratapsinh Rane, threatened to quit the party if it fails to forge an alliance with like-minded forces.

Goa Congress chief Luizinho Faleiro yesterday taunted the party legislators saying "they (Congress MLAs and Independents from opposition benches) should show an alliance on the floor of the House first before talking about the election."

He was apparently referring to non-coordination between the Congress legislators and other opposition members during the state Assembly session.

"We have not ruled out the possibility of an alliance. That is the decision the party high command will take at the right time after consulting party workers. But before that our legislators should show their grand alliance (with other opposition members) on the floor of the House," Faleiro, the former state chief minister, told reporters.

"Let them (Congress MLAs and others) get together and counter the state government on the floor of the House. That is something missing," he said.

"Why didn't all the opposition legislators combine together to attack the government during last four-and-half years? Now they have a last chance when the Monsoon Session begins on July 25. Let them show their zeal to have an alliance and counter the state government," Faleiro said.

The Goa Congress chief, who left for Delhi yesterday, said he would be meeting All India Congress Committee General Secretary Digvijay Singh in the national capital.

"The workers will decide whether the Congress should have an alliance or fight it out alone in the Goa polls. There would be consultation with the workers before the high command takes any stand," Faleiro said.

Earlier on Sunday, Vishwajit had said, "If a single leader wants to decide then let him fight the election on own, I will not be in Congress party. I will only be in Congress party if it stitches up an alliance with like-minded forces."