Margao: A day after GFP president Vijai Sardesai said he was open to “realignment” following his party’s alliance with AAP, Congress’ Goa in charge, Manikrao Thakare, said on Saturday that Congress had not shut its doors to GFP, and that everyone wanting to defeat BJP was welcome to join hands with the party.Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the Congress core committee, Thakare said the party’s efforts to unite the opposition would continue. “We have never closed our doors to GFP. Our attempts to bring all opposition parties together will continue, as that is the voice of the people. Those wanting to defeat the BJP should join our alliance,” he said.Asked about GFP’s tie-up with AAP, and whether GFP could still come on board with Congress, Thakare reiterated that the party’s approach was guided by public sentiment. “Whatever steps Congress takes are in tune with the sentiments and aspirations of the people of Goa. We have tried to bring together all anti-BJP forces to defeat BJP. But if some parties don’t want to listen to the voice of the people, the people will decide what to do with them,” he said.On the absence of former state Congress president Amit Patkar from the meeting, Thakare said Patkar was being invited to all party meetings. “He is being invited to all meetings of the party’s various committees. He should attend them and share his views,” he said.Thakare also announced that the party’s Goa Rakhon Yatra will begin on Sep 22, and invited NGOs and anti-BJP forces to participate in it. Leader of opposition Yuri Alemao said the yatra, which will traverse the state, would galvanise public opinion against BJP govt’s “anti-people policies”.State Congress president Girish Chodankar, working presidents and MLAs Carlos Ferreira and Altone D’Costa, and MK Shaikh were among those present at the meeting. South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes wasn’t present.
