Clarify stand on inducting defectors: RGP to ZP poll allies

NT Reporter

Panaji

The Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) has given its ZP election allies, the Congress and the Goa Forward Party (GFP), a deadline of November 22 to clarify their stand on inducting defectors.

RGP president Manoj Parab, St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar and treasurer Ajay Kholkar told the reporters
on Friday that the alliance must follow rules, principles and discipline. The RGP
said defectors should not be inducted, stating it breaks public trust and weakens
the alliance.

During the alliance talks, one key decision was not to induct defectors. “Request our alliance partners don’t break the principles, as it will create a trust deficit, and the alliance will not be successful, and this is what the BJP wants,” said Parab.

Recently, former Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes joined GFP.

Without naming GFP or Fernandes, Parab said one alliance party had given entry to a defector. “Our party members and we are of the opinion that defectors should not be given a chance. This alliance is not a platform for defectors or land dealers trying to build their political careers. It isn’t about politics or a numbers game. It is about a new beginning, new energy, and new hope for Goa,” said Parab.

He said that owing to the alliance, people had hopes it could defeat the BJP. “Earlier we had said that we will contest alone. However, keeping in mind the sentiments of Goans, we decided to get into an alliance,” said Parab.

Referring to the induction of a former MLA into an alliance party, Parab said someone had left BJP because he was not given the party ticket. “If given, such people might go back to the BJP. If such people are inducted by our partners, it will affect the alliance,” said Parab.