Goa pre-poll alliance decision in September: Congress

A decision on a possible pre-poll alliance with other like-minded political parties in Goa will be taken only in September, state Congress President Luizinho Faleiro said on Monday.

"We will be able to tell by September 30 whether we want an alliance or not. I do not think any political party in Goa -- whether the BJP, MGP (Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party) or any other party -- is talking of alliance. They are saying give us three months. I am also saying give us three months," Faleiro told the media here.

Faleiro refused to comment on statements by several Congress leaders for the formation of a "grand alliance" before the assembly polls likely in early 2017.

The Congress has eight legislators in the 40-member assembly in Goa.

A majority of the Congress block units have ruled out the need for such a pre-poll tie-up ahead of the 2017 assembly elections.

Thirty eight blocks, party units at the assembly level, have already rejected the need for the pre-poll alliance, while Congress MLAs like Vishwajeet Rane and Aleixo Reginaldo have demanded such an alliance with like-minded parties to defeat the ruling BJP-led coalition.

"I am not taking these statements seriously as it's a family matter," the Congress leader said.

--IANS

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