Goa Congress chief Girish Chodankar
Gomantak Times
With just a few two days to go for the Goa assembly poll results, state Congress president Girish Chodankar has expressed confidence that the grand old party will make a comeback to power in the coastal state after a gap of 10 years. In an exclusive interview with Gomantak Times, Chodankar has said that Congress is slated to win around 23-26 seats.
Full transcript of the interview follows:
How is Congress placed in this election? Are you satisfied with party's campaign?
We had said that Goans was our focus point and our entire campaign was to win Goans rather than winning elections. So when our focus was on winning Goans, we wanted to give whatever Goans wanted. Our entire election strategies including our manifesto and the change that people wanted in the Congress party, we have made all those changes. Our campaign was pro-people and more than the party, people were actually campaigning for us.
What is going to be Congress's strategy on March 10?
We are pretty confident that Goa has voted with anger this government and they have decisively voted to give a new alternate and we would like to become that alternative.
Last time around you were not able to form the government at the last moment. Is it something that you will keep in mind on March 10 and try not to repeat those mistakes? What is your strategy if it is a hung assembly?
There were no mistakes from our side. There was pressure from the central government. BJP has used money power. They have abused home ministry and they had used Raj Bhavan as BJP Bhavan. This was the only reason why we could not form the government. Some parties who we fought against, they became tempted without realising that they (BJP) will destroy them. Now everyone has realised that BJP has just used them and thrown them in the dustbin once BJP's purpose was fulfilled.
Have you reached out to any other political parties?
We are in touch with all the political parties leaving BJP. We want to give people's government, Goans' government. Although we will come with a full majority, we want every Goan to be part of this government.
What is your prospect for Congress?
We have full confidence in the people of Goa. We have done everything that the people of Goa desired. They said don't give the tickets to defectors, we have not given them. They said bring young and new faces, we have given tickets to 80 per cent young faces . They said to declare the tickets early, we have given the ticket early. They said to be clear on candidates who have some settings with BJP and we have kept them out. So we are confident that we will win somewhere between 23-26 seats.
What will be your role in the future? Will you be part of the government if Congress comes to power or will you work for the party?
That will be decided by our party leadership. I work like a missionary. I have no expectations from the party. I am here only to work for the party. So whatever they will ask me, I'll be up for it. But I will see that whatever we have promised, those promises are fulfilled and our manifesto is implemented. My goal is to save Goa from destruction.