On the eve of polling for the Goa Assembly polls, the ruling Congress and opposition BJP are expressing confidence about their respective victories.
Both Congress and BJP have forged alliances with NCP and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) respectively to lay claim on the 40-member House.
BJP campaign chief Sripad Naik claimed that the alliance would pocket 22 seats--one more than the magic figure of 21--as it received enormous support from public during the campaign.
"Congress tried to provoke our workers but they remained peaceful during the entire campaigning," Naik said,adding that the party engaged in a dignified and incident-free canvassing.
"We began our campaign with a slogan that Goa deserves better and we have got good response from people," he added.
Congress which is ruling the state under Digambar Kamat is confident of winning 21-23 seats in alliance with NCP.
"Our tally can go up to 25 seats," said Francis Sardinha, working president of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC).
"People have realised that if they want stability, harmony and peace they have only alternative in Congress," he added.
In the backdrop of BJP fielding five Catholic candidates and supporting an Independent, the Congress said the saffron party during the tenure of Manohar Parrikar had taken anti-minority decisions.
{{/usCountry}}In the backdrop of BJP fielding five Catholic candidates and supporting an Independent, the Congress said the saffron party during the tenure of Manohar Parrikar had taken anti-minority decisions.
{{/usCountry}}"BJP was trying to project itself as pro-minority party by fielding some Catholic candidates. But BJP during its rule in Goa had taken decisions which were against the minority community," Congress media campaign chief Mauvin Godinho said.
BJP has fielded former tourism minister Mathany Saldanha from Cortalim constituency, Glen Ticlo from Aldona, Carlose Almeida from Vasco, sitting legislator Francis D'Souza from Mapusa and Micheal Lobo from Calangute.