Janata party's Goa unit merges with NCP

Panaji, May 30 (UNI) Janata Party's Goa unit today merged with NCP in the presence of NCP supremo Sharad Pawar.

''The merger would strengthen secular forces and the NCP,'' Janata Party Chief Prof Surendra Sirsat said.

Mr Pawar said the rich experience of Prof Sirsat, who was former speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, would further enrich the NCP.

Mr Sirsat said the merger en-masse was done on the advice of Janata Party's national working President and industrialist Vijay Mallya, MP, with the symbol controversy still dogging the party, resulting in failure of the party in fielding candidates for the June 2 elections to Goa Assembly.

All other office bearers of the Janata Party including women, students and youth wing joied the NCP, he said.

UNI