Panaji, Aug 26 (UNI) Former Union Minister and senior All India Congress Committee (AICC) Election Observer for Goa P Chidambaram on Thursday said that the principal opposition party was getting ready to fight all the 40 constituencies in the assembly elections to be held early next year.
Addressing a press conference in the city, he also claimed the the political atmosphere was extremely favourable for the party and expressed confidence of forming next government post 2022 assembly polls.
"Congress party is getting battle-ready for the Goa Legislative Assembly election scheduled next year. Initial assessment is that the political atmosphere is extremely favourable for Congress in all the constituencies. There are indications that there will be change in government and the new government will be led by Congress party. The people of Goa expect that there should be a change in the government and the Congress party will not disappoint them, he said.
The senior Congress leader said candidates who were loyal, faithful to the party ideology and ready to serve Goa would be given tickets to contest the elections.
He said there were many aspirants in each constituencies but the decision about candidature would be taken after consulting members of each block of the constituency and also members of frontal organisations like Youth Congress, Mahila Congress, Seva Dal and other wings.
On change of leadership in the state, he said he was not in Goa to replace anyone and the issue would be addressed at an appropriate time.
"I am not here to replace anyone. Such organisational matters are discussed and decided at the appropriate time," he said.
He also refuse to comment on the chief ministerial candidate of the party.
The veteran leader said candidates would get enough time to campaign in their respective constituencies.
Post 2017 assembly elections, Congress had emerged as the single largest party winning 17 seats but Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was restricted to 13 MLAs, managed to get support of the regional parties like Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and three independents and formed government under the leadership of then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
However, during the period of last four and half years Congress's strength got reduced as its 11 MLAs deserted the party and joined ruling BJP.
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