Two NCP aspirants join GVP ahead of Goa polls

Panaji: Ahead of next month's Assembly elections in Goa, two aspirants of NCP on Friday crossed over to Goa Vikas Party.

Nelly Rodrigues and George Barretto, supposed to contest from Cortalim and Navelim constituencies, respectively, tendered their resignation citing lack of leadership in the party.

Barretto alleged that NCP is doing the Congress' bidding in Goa.

"There is no proper leadership and direction to the party," said Barretto.

He is likely to be GVP candidate in Navelim against state unit Congress president Luizinho Faleiro.

Rodrigues, who heads South Goa Zilla Panchayat and had began campaigning on NCP ticket in Cortalim, said the NCP has miserably failed to make its mark in the state.

"It's the time for regional parties like Goa Vikas Party to take the lead," she said.

GVP which contested 2012 elections without any alliance has two MLAs in the 40-member House.

The party has been supporting the BJP-led government since it came to power in 2012.

NCP has no legislator to represent the party in the Assembly.