NCP keen on tie-up with like-minded parties for LS polls: Goa unit

Panaji: The Goa unit of NCP on Friday announced formation of a committee to scout for like-minded parties to contest the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the state against the Congress and BJP candidates.

A committee led by party`s state chief Nilkant Halarnkar has been formed which will have dialogues with like-minded political parties to field a consensus candidate on NCP symbol, party`s Goa unit chief spokesman Trojano D`Mello told reporters here. The Sharad Pawar-led party, which has already announced its willingness to contest both Goa parliamentary seats, has agreed that its alliance with Congress is petered out. The Congress leaders in Goa were acting like BJP agents by presenting wrong inputs to its high-command that the party (Congress) can win both the seats without NCP support, D`Mello alleged. Traditionally, NCP has been contesting on North and Congress in South Goa constituency. The like-minded parties which believe in NCP ideologies can be considered for alliance, the spokesman said. He refused to name any party (for a possible alliance) stating that "talks are yet to begin with anyone." In Goa, besides Congress, few other regional outfits like Goa Democratic Front, Goa Vikas Party and Goa Su-Raj Party have expressed their willingness to contest the polls. Aam Admi Party (AAP) and BJP have already announced their candidates, while Congress has shortlisted the names, but final announcement is awaited. Goa Vikas Party chief Miccky Pacheco today said that he is waiting for other parties to announce their candidates. "I have not pledged support to anyone. I am waiting for the candidates to be declared so that my party can take a stand," said Pacheco, whose party has two legislators in the state Legislative Assembly.