Margao, Feb 2 (TOI): All India Mahila Congress, general secretary, Monica Dias, has favoured the idea of Congress entering into an alliance with the newly formed regional outfit Goa Forward Party (GFP) for the 2017 assembly elections.

In a press note, Dias has appealed to the state Congress leaders "to learn from the mistakes of the last elections and to join hands with the GFP to offer a viable alternative to the Bhartiya Janata Party."

Dias' statement comes on the heels of a statement from senior Congress leader Ramakant Khalap that "Congress can explore the possibility of having an alliance with the GFP" as "both together can prove a viable alternative for the BJP."

Dias, in her press statement, has endorsed Khalap's view. "Loyal Congress leaders and workers should heed the advice of such a senior leader who knows the ins and outs of Goan politics, and should immediately start to work for such an alliance," the former Goa Mahila Congress president said.

"Goa has suffered the maximum under the BJP rule and the Congress party should respect the sentiments of Goans who wish that a united front be put up to defeat the communal forces," Dias said in the press note.
The GFP has been supported by independent MLAs Vijai Sardesai (Fatorda), Rohan Khaunte (Provorim) and Naresh Sawal (Bicholim) with the objective of ousting the BJP. Former state election commissioner, Prabhakar Timble, is the president of the party.