Senior Congress leader and Union Minister for Transport, Road and Highways Oscar Fernandes on Tuesday admitted that it would be difficult for the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) to get majority, but asserted, "Congress will have a role to play in the formation of government post Lok Sabha polls."
Mr. Fernandes, who was in Goa on a private visit, when asked about Narendra Modi wave and prospects of NDA and UPA in the on-going parliamentary election, told The Hindu , "They may say many things, but they too will not get a majority."
Speaking about UPA-Congress he conceded that it will be difficult to get a majority. "We will have our pockets, they will have their pockets. But eventually, we will have a role to play in formation of the government at the Centre," he said. When asked about party's prospects in Karnataka, he said Congress will do well.
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Mr. Fernandes, who is familiar with Goa Congress and local politics in his capacity as election observer for 2012 State Assembly elections, said, "There is a strong undercurrent in favour of Congress in Goa." He declined to elaborate when asked if he was hinting at the stance of the Goa Church indicating its opposition to Mr. Modi.
Mr. Fernandes called on Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president John Fernades at the Congress house and had an informal interaction with GPCC office-bearers over the on-going campaign.
Party sources later said that, Mr. Fernandes also had informal meetings with north Goa candidate Ravi Naik and some Senior Congress leaders.
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