Goa heading for hung House?

POLL BATTLE: Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane's son Vishwajeet on poll Campaign.

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Keywords: NCP, Congress

New Delhi: It's been a colourful lineup of parties and politicians before voters in Goa. But as the state goes to polls on Saturday, what's being asked is whether the election would throw up another hung house.

Two years after he lost power when his party split, BJP leader and former chief minister Manohar Pariikar is a man with a mission.

As he campaigns across Goa, it is clear that he has revenge on his mind. With the Congress in power, the BJP is hoping to cash in on anti-incumbency. Parikkar's target are the Congress's alleged land deals that have left a stench of corruption across Goa.

Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar said, “If some people have manipulated the system and if a guilty goes unpunished all the time then there is no fear of law.”

The allegations have pushed the congress on the defensive, despite party president Sonia Gandhi doing the star turn for the Congress in this election.

Chief Minister Pratapsing Rane, who's been in politics for over three decades now, is contesting again. Ironically, Rane's son Vishwajeet is contesting, as an independent and the father-son duo typify the confusion in congress ranks.

Congress MP Shantaram Naik said, “We stand on a strong footing despite several abrasions, which have taken place during our regime. I can very frankly understand that but question is ultimately we are plus.”

Hoping to take advantage of the troubles of the major parties are the smaller groups like Churchill Alemao's save Goa front and the regional Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party.

Save Goa Front president Churchill Alemao said, “Politics means what politics means to give some good things to the people and save the Goa. You are ruining the government within two years they have ruined the Goa."

In the last seventeen years, Goa has seen 15 governments, with defections and splits being the order of the day - will 2007 be any different and how will the BJP-Congress tussle play out - questions that the Goa voter now has to answer.