Cong ready for pre-poll alliance with NCP
PTI, PANAJI | 27 December 2011 19:11 IST
Goa Congress said it would have a pre-poll tie with the NCP for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the state scheduled on March 3.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Subhash Shirodkar said the Congress-NCP high command would meet in Delhi on Tuesday to decide on seat sharing amongst both the partners.
"NCP has asked for around 12 seats out of 40 constituencies. The final decision would be taken by high command as to how much seats can be spared," he told reporters in Panaji.
Shirodkar said the party was also in talks with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) for a pre-poll alliance.
He said Congress had already begun its preparation for the polls.
"We have already started receiving applications from the aspirants," he said, adding that the last date to accept the nominations was Tuesday.
"Even if a leader is a sitting MLA or minister, he will have to fill the form and submit it to party office in Panaji," Shirodkar said, while conceding that only one minister Manohar Asgaonar, who handles the panchayat portfolio, had filled the form till now from the current ruling lot.
Shirodkar said he had agreed to step aside and pave way for another leader to head Goa Congress unit as he was contesting from Shiroda constituency.
"I have already made my wish clear that someone who is not contesting the election should take over the reigns of the party," he said.
