NCP may join hands with regional parties for Goa polls

Panaji, Aug 29: The NCP today said it will not mind joining hands with regional parties to keep at bay Congress, BJP and AAP during Goa Assembly polls due next year.

"We don't want to fight the polls on our own as it would amount to division of secular votes. The Congress has also decided to take a suicidal step of going alone which will render them least seats in the Goa polls," state NCP president Jose Philip D'Souza said.

"In these circumstances, the only and formidable option that is left before NCP is to join hands with like-minded parties like Goa Forward and others. If we combine our strength, it is not difficult to keep at bay Congress, BJP and AAP," D'Souza said.

The NCP had pre-poll alliance with Congress during the 2012 Goa Assembly elections, but it lost in all the seats.

The Sharad Pawar-led party does not have any representation in Goa Assembly. D'Souza said the Goa polls may see Aam Aadmi Party playing spoilsport for many candidates.

"AAP has understanding with BJP. They will win the votes of minority community which are traditional votes of the Congress party. The entire situation will give a winning edge to BJP in the election," he said. Goa Assembly elections are due before March 2017.

PTI