Cong hints at bringing like-minded parties to its fold

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Subhash Shirodkar today hinted at an initiative to bring all the like-minded parties into the Congress fold in the state.

"I am open for them (like-minded parties) to join Congress. We will work towards such a conglomeration although there is nothing concrete thought about," Shirodkar told PTI.   

Shirodkar added that the political split gives rise to differences amongst communities, which can be avoided with two party system. The groups like NCP should merge with main parties like Congress. 

The differences amongst these parties are small compared to the larger policies unanimously adopted by the parties including Congress, he said. 

The GPCC chief, however, ruled out any such instant move to merge the political entities with Congress in Goa, immediately. He said that he would welcome all the like-minded parties to join Congress and they would be accommodated in the party with due respect.  

Shirodkar said that the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) is also a like-minded party to Congress. MGP is much closer to Congress compared to BJP, he said. 

The Digamber Kamat-led government in the state is supported by NCP, MGP and two independents.Shirodkar said that the Congress-NCP alliance will wrestle both the Lok Sabha seats in the state.   

Both the national parties had an alliance in the state with NCP contesting North while Congress south Goa seat."We are confident of Fransisco Sardinha (Congress) winning in South Goa with 40,000 margin while if things go well, Jitendra Deshprabhu (NCP) will win with 5,000 to 10,000 margin, Shirodkar said.

He said that the Lok Sabha election saw 'very good coordination between NCP and Congress particularly because Congress office-bearers worked for the entire six months in the run up to the polls.