Goa: Congress trying to forge third front with MGP, AAP and TMC

NEW DELHI: Congress Goa election observer P Chidambaram on Tuesday said talks are on between his party and other opposition parties ahead of the counting of votes in Goa and that the Congress is trying to forge a third front.

“Our goal is to keep the BJP out of power in Goa and those who share a similar goal are welcome to join us,” he said.

In an interview with NDTV, Chidambaram claimed the Congress was confident that the people of Goa have given a clear, simple majority. I am more confident today than I was, say last week, because I have spoken to every candidate.

“We are willing to work with the other parties, he said. Our goal is to forge a non-BJP front and such efforts are going on in other parts of India. Why not make the same effort in Goa?” he said.

Chidambaram’s remarks came after reports that Congress leaders were in touch with leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC).

When asked whether he was also in talks with leaders of other parties, Chidambaram said, “Not me directly, but our leaders in Goa are talking to leaders of the other parties in Goa.”

“Apparently, they are all friends. Some of them are even related to each other. They all know each other. It (Goa) is a small place. They meet often on many occasions. I am told that leaders of other parties and leaders of my party have been talking to each other over the last few days,” Goa election in-charge of the Congress, said.

Chidambaram said the Congress candidates are loyal to their party. “Everyone is sworn to loyalty… I have no doubt at all that every candidate, whether he wins or loses, will be loyal to the Congress party,” he said.