Chirag Naik hands over his membership form to GPCC chief Amit Patkar as AICC Goa desk in-charge, Manikrao Thakare and Secretary Dr Anjali Nimbalkar look on.
Photo Credits: Santosh Mirajkar
MARGAO
City-based entrepreneur Chirag Datta Naik officially joined the Congress party on Thursday, setting the tone for what could become a high-stakes political contest in the Margao constituency ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Naik's entry has sparked speculation in political circles about whether the upcoming battle for Margao will shape up to be a classic David vs Goliath showdown.
Margao’s sitting MLA, Digambar Kamat, has held the seat for seven consecutive terms and served as Goa’s Chief Minister from 2007 to 2012. In contrast, Naik is a newcomer to politics, better known for his role as Managing Director of Commonwealth Developers Pvt Ltd and as a partner in business ventures, including New Millennium Bakers, Rich Bake Bakers, and K D Naik.
Despite his lack of political experience, Naik projected confidence at his induction ceremony, held in the presence of senior Congress leaders and local supporters. He submitted his membership form to All India Congress Committee (AICC) Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakre and declared his intent to represent a new voice for Margao.
Speaking at the event, Naik criticised the current state of infrastructure in Margao and accused the sitting MLA of neglecting the city. “I feel ashamed to say that iconic facilities like Nehru Stadium and Ravindra Bhavan are not in Margao, but in Fatorda. Compare the development in neighbouring constituencies like Curtorim, Navelim, and Benaulim with Margao, and the disparity is clear,” Naik said, adding that the time had come for change.
Naik said his decision to enter politics stemmed from frustration over the degeneration of Margao’s civic and infrastructural conditions. He also announced plans to contest the 2026 Margao Municipal Council elections in alliance with Congress leaders Savio Coutinho and Captain Viriato Fernandes, positioning the civic polls as his first major political test.
“My information suggests that the MLA was concerned about my entry into the Congress. I want to make it clear—I am here to stay, and I have the capacity to strengthen the party in Margao,” he added.
Naik’s induction was attended by several high-profile Congress leaders, including GPCC Chief Amit Patkar, Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao, and former GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar. They welcomed him into the party and expressed confidence in his ability to energise the Congress base in Margao.
Speaking at the event, Chodankar suggested that a by-election in Margao could not be ruled out, citing ongoing disqualification proceedings against eight MLAs who defected from the Congress to the BJP in 2022. Chodankar accused Kamat of attempting to pressure the Congress leadership after the 2022 Assembly results, claiming he had threatened to explore other political options if not made Leader of the Opposition.
GPCC Chief Amit Patkar predicted a political shift in Margao, pointing to reduced BJP margins in the constituency during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections as a sign of growing public dissatisfaction. He said Naik’s entry would further strengthen the Congress in the run-up to both the 2026 civic polls and the 2027 state elections.
