Praful Patel confident of Congress, NCP winning in Goa

Panaji, Feb 29 (ANI): Union Heavy Industries Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Praful Patel on Wednesday expressed confidence of making a mark in the upcoming Goa assembly elections by forming the government in the state.

"Many promises have given many positive schemes for the development of not only the whole country but also for Goa. We will be able to make a mark and be able to form a government again in Goa," he told the media here.

Patel asserted that the alliance between Congress and Nationalist Congress Party could only preserve the secular and progressive character of Goa.

"NCP believes in giving a progressive government. There have been, of course, some issues here and there which have been raised but I am sure that people of Goa will understand that the difference between two major political groupings," said Patel.

"The Congress, NCP certainly has much more credibility and Goa is a secular state, Goa has diverse people with various religious backgrounds but which has always been one of the most peaceful and progressive states. And we feel that only the Congress NCP alliance can maintain that secular and progressive character of Goa," he added.

Patel further stated that the NCP would be successful in gaining majority and would do much better in the assembly polls.

"NCP will do much better than the last time. We will get more than three seats for sure. We are expecting at least four to five seats and we feel that there may be anti-incumbency for some sitting MLAs here and there," said Patel.

"I am not talking about any particular MLA but if you see the overall atmosphere of Goa, I don't see and we have also our own little team of people who go around and give us the feedback. There is no major anti-incumbency as is being made out to be," he added.

Patel said that legal mining should be allowed in a bid to preserve the eco-friendly environment in Goa.

"We fully support legal mining because that has been the mainstay of Goa's economy, in fact much before Goa became more popular in terms of tourism and industries and other areas. I know mining from Goa was the traditional mainstay for Goa's economy and exports to Japan and to other countries was the lifeline for Goa's business. Lakhs of families are dependent on mining activity in Goa," said Patel.

"So, we do wish to see that the eco-friendly, eco-sensitive area of Goa should be fully preserved, but at the same time legal mining must continue because it will continue to be the mainstay for Goa's economy for many many years to come," he added.

Polling in Goa, which is one of the five states due to hold elections this year, will be held in a single phase on March 3.

The assembly elections would be between the ruling Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Maharshtrawadi Gomantak Party combine.

The counting of votes will be held on March 6. (ANI)