Fatorda and Saligao Joint venture of BJP Cong against GF: Vijai

Goa Forward candidate Vijai Sardesai has termed it as a joint venture of Congress and the BJP. Congress leader Digvijay Singh is expected to take a final decision in this regard.

The drama of Fatorda continued on Thursday when Returning Officer rejected the objection raised by Goa Forward candidate Vijai Sardesai’s election agent Dilip Prabhudesai. He had objected to Jose D’Silva filing nominations for two parties – the Congress and the Goa Vikas Party. But D’Silva submitted a fresh letter by Goa Congress chief Luizinho Faleiro that D’Silva is a Congress member. Jose has now decided to withdraw as the Goa Vikas Party candidate.

After the returning officer allowed Jose D’Silva to contest, Congress activist Avinash Tavares has now demanded that Additional Chief Electoral Officer Narayan Navati should step down. After Jose filed nominations for two parties, Navati had told the media that Jose would technically be disqualified, though final decision lies with the returning officer.

The decision of the Congress to field the candidate in Fatorda would obviously affect Goa Forward candidate Vijai Sardesai because Congress had earlier announced that they won’t field candidates against Goa Forward in Fatorda and Siolim. Vijai has reacted sharply to this development.

All India Congress Committee Secretary Girish Chodankar has admitted that his party has now fielded candidates in 37 constituencies, and not 36. But he said the final decision about Fatorda would be taken by AICC General Secretary Digivijay Singh. The last date for withdrawal is 21^st of January.

Chodankar was however critical of Vijai Sardesai calling Congress candidate of Saligao, Agnelo Fernandes, garbage of Calangute.