No rift with AAP, S Goa candidate soon: Khurshid

Panaji: Ruling out a rift with AAP over seat-sharing for the Lok Sabha elections, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Salman Khurshid said talks with its INDIA partners are going smoothly. He said an amicable candidate for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat will be announced after due consultation.

Khurshid also said seat-sharing negotiations are going on with the alliance partners in Delhi and that they were on “very good terms” including with AAP.

“Our representatives and leaders will sit together and make some announcements. I am talking about Goa, I am talking about UP…we have both reached a point where we can sit together and announce the candidates. There will be an announcements together,” said Khurshid.

The former Union minister was addressing a press conference on the 10 years of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s govt. Khurshid criticised the Modi govt for its anti-people policies and released a list of its failures.

Khurshid said the dual citizenship and OCI card issue need to be settled as quickly as possible.

“This is not for any political advantage but as a service to Goans. Congress has always remained committed for welfare of the OBC, SC and ST community, but BJP is not willing to give them power and their rights,” he said.

Khurshid also said the Centre has failed to resolve the Mhadei water sharing issue, unemployment and political reservations for scheduled tribes.

“There is a steep rise in atrocities against women. According to data, 86 women are raped every day and three of four accused get away. Yet, BJP defends rapists. BJP leaders, including the chief ministers, members of parliament are overseeing a campaign of hate speech against SC’s, ST’s and minorities,” said Khurshid.