After the talks over the seat-sharing talks collapsed with the Congress for the Goa assembly elections, the Shiv Sena is girding its loins to contest the polls in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Reports stated that the two parties are likely to formalise their alliance for the coastal state on January 19, and the Sena may contest 15 seats.

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“The NCP and Shiv Sena are in an alliance in Maharashtra and the Congress is also with us. But in Goa, they seem to have some issues with seat sharing. Our talks were going on well, but this (alliance) could not happen. The NCP’s talks with them too have been unfruitful. But this does not mean we will not contest the elections,” said Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut.

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Earlier, the Shiv Sena was eager to implement Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA)-like experiment in Goa with the Congress and the NCP to take on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

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Jitesh Kamat, Shiv Sena Goa unit chief, said their talks with the Congress hit a roadblock over the seats to be shared.

“The Congress was offering seats like Priol, Porvorim, Pernem, and Sanvordem, while we were eager to contest from Mapusa and Siolim, where our workers have been active for the past five years,” Kamat said.

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The Shiv Sena chief said the tie-up with the NCP was likely to be announced on January 19. The Sena is likely to contest 15 seats, mostly in North Goa, which borders Maharashtra.

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Election to the 40-member Goa House will be held on February 14.