Goa Assembly election: Congress in talks with non-BJP parties, independents for post-poll alliance
The Hindu
BJP rubbishes Congress’ ‘phone tapping‘ allegations as excuses ahead of results
As counting to the 40-seat Goa Assembly election draws near, the major players in the fray are gearing up for a fractured verdict with the Congress leadership in talks with parties that have not allied with the BJP to form the next government after the results on March 10.
Congress election in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao and the senior election observer P. Chidambaram, who reached Goa on Sunday will be parleying with probable alliance partners, said party sources.
Both Mr. Rao and Mr. Chidambaram, along with the Congress’ ally, the Vijai Sardesai-led Goa Forward Party (GFP) are said to be charting out a strategy to win support from independents in order to help the party win the magic figure of 21 seats.
The Congress’ dithering in forming the government after the 2017 Assembly election had resulted in the BJP under the late Manohar Parrikar to form the government with the critical support of Mr. Sardesai’s GFP and the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), along with independent leaders like ex-Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte.
Acutely conscious of his party’s failure to seize the initiative after the 2017 Assembly election despite emerging as the single-largest party (winning 17 seats to the BJP’s 13), Mr. Rao stressed that the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) this time would elect their leader within minutes of the final result on March 10 without wasting any time.
“We will stake claim to form the government on the same day,” he said.
On Saturday, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi held a meeting of senior Goa Congress leaders in Delhi in order to discuss the course of action the party would take once the results were out.
India and Russia strengthen Arctic and nuclear cooperation, committing to joint efforts on new sea routes and energy projects.
BJP leader K. Surendran accuses Kerala government of shielding expelled MLA Rahul Mamkoottathil amidst ongoing rape allegations and political tensions.
All IndiGo flights at Bengaluru airport are cancelled until 11.59 p.m. on December 5; passengers advised to check status.
CWMA Chairman states Mekedatu dam's feasibility is unestablished, returning the project file to the Central Water Commission.
The tragic death of a Vizag woman uncovers a major organ-trafficking network in Andhra Pradesh, exposing exploitation of vulnerable communities.
Minister Vangalapudi Anitha pledges government support for physically challenged children, ensuring equal educational opportunities and necessary facilities.
Congress criticizes Modi government over IndiGo flight cancellations, linking chaos to a monopoly model harming competition in aviation.
NMDC partners with IIT Kanpur to enhance cyber security and digital technologies through a strategic MoU for industry-academia collaboration.
Sangareddy medical college faces inquiry into ragging incident, prompting a legal awareness program on anti-ragging laws for students.
Join 20,000 attendees in Hubballi on December 13 to honor Basavaraj Horatti's 45 years of service as MLC.
NITK hosts a five-day workshop for JNV teachers, focusing on innovative pedagogy and capacity building in education.
EVM commissioning for local body elections begins in Kozhikode, covering multiple blocks and municipalities, set to complete by December 7.
Wildlife researchers capture rare photograph of Sonnerat's shrew, believed extinct for over 200 years, in the Nilgiris.