File photo of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar (Press Trust of India)
Ruling BJP, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and Goa Vikas Party (GVP) yesterday announced an alliance for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat polls in the coastal state.
As per the seat-sharing formula hammered out by the parties, BJP would contest 34 of the total 50 seats, followed by MGP (9) and GVP (5).
Two Independent legislators - Avertano Furtado and Benjamin Silva - will get to field their candidates on one seat each.
The alliance was finalised in presence of leaders from the three parties and the two MLAs at a meeting chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who had specially flown down to Panaji to seal the deal.
All three parties are already in alliance in the BJP-led government in the state.
The Zilla Panchayat polls, scheduled on March 18, are being fought on party lines for the first time. Main opposition Congress is boycotting the election.
"This is continuation of the state-level alliance. We didn't want to contest separately and convey a wrong message to the people," Mr Parrikar said, announcing the tie-up.
He said the state government will be giving more powers to zilla panchayats after the election.
Mr Parrikar said the Centre has been funding the states in a big way and part of the money can be allocated to local bodies for faster development of areas under their jurisdiction.