The Velim seat seems to have become a bone of contention between Congress and Goa Forward as alliance talks between the two parties got underway in Delhi on late Wednesday evening.
MARGAO
While Goa Forward Vijai Sardesai staked claim for the Velim seat, saying the party has finalised Anthony Babush Rodrigues, the Congress panel is believed to have insisted that Velim is rightfully theirs.
The panel comprising Digvijaya Singh, secretary Dr Chella Kumar, Venugopal, Hegde and Mukul Wasnik, discussed on the alliance proposal with alliance leaders.
Sardesai is believed to have argued that former Congress minister and three-time Velim MLA Filipe Neri Rodrigues colluded with BJP leaders by withdrawing the case pertaining to his eviction from the Legislative Assembly.
Sources said that while there was not much discussion on Fatorda, Siolim and Saligao, Velim was the subject of discussion.
When contacted, Sardesai said that he has made it very clear to the Congress panel that the GFP will not compromise on the Velim seat. He said the Congress leaders have promised to get back to him in two days time. TGN
