Panaji, Nov 9 (IANS): The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Goa have decided to work towards a pre-poll alliance arrangement for the state assembly polls scheduled next year.

Speaking to reporters in Panaji Wednesday, central observer of the NCP Bharati Chavan said both parties were keen on an alliance and preliminary talks between state level leaders were fruitful.

"Of course the alliance will happen. The Congress and NCP, both are keen on having an alliance for the coming elections here," Chavan said, after a meeting with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and other Congress leaders here.

Chavan said that the NCP had already drawn up a list of 12 NCP candidates for the 40 assembly constituency seats and that 'winnability' would be a prime criteria for the selection of the candidates.

"We want 12 seats, but that may be adjusted if the alliances winnability is compromised," Chavan said.

The Congress has already cracked the whip on sitting candidates, stating that not all incumbents would be given the party ticket to contest and that their performance in the present term as legislators would be weighed.

The Congress-led coalition government in Goa comprises of two other coalition partners namely the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), a regional party, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).