Rift in Goa NCP gives Cong edge in talks
The public display of antagonism between members of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Goa and its central observer has put Sharad Pawar’s party in complete disarray before the election.
The infighting in the NCP is likely to give the Congress the edge in the seat-sharing formula with the next round of alliance talks between the two parties scheduled for early next week.
There were strong rumours on Saturday that NCP observer Bharati Chavan was likely to be axed after sending out a strongly worded SMS to an NCP member. Known for her abrasive politicking Chavan has been trying to build a hand-picked coterie, treading on quite a few toes in the process, the latest being the NCP Goa president Surendra Sirsat, who she suggested was incompetent.
“I will give her a befitting reply at the right time,” Sirsat told Deccan Herald. He said Chavan was merely an observer and not anyone empowered to serve him with a show cause notice, since he had been appointed by Sharad Pawar.
“Some people are trying to create an empire by foisting people from other parties and promising them a party nomination,” another senior member said.
There have also been allegations of pre-poll real estate deals being discussed.
NCP minister Jose Philip D’Souza said he was confident these “internal party matters” would be sorted out and the terms of the Congress alliance resolved as soon as possible.
A senior Congress member said unlike in Maharashtra where it has a strong regional presence, the NCP lacked the capacity to win a single seat on it own in Goa.
But its nuisance factor made the tie-up necessary.
Goa PCC Chief Subhash Shirodkar said the Congress’ screening committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday would hold another round of discussions to finalise candidates.
