Questions reliability of potential Cong candidates
MAPUSA
Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) MLA Viresh Borkar has expressed concerns over the uncertainty surrounding the Goa Congress following its recent leadership change, saying the opposition party needs to provide clarity on its political strategy and alliance plans if it hopes to build a united front against the BJP ahead of the next assembly elections.
Responding to questions on the turmoil within the Congress after the replacement of its State president, Borkar termed the development an internal matter of the party and refrained from directly commenting on the leadership change.
"They have not given any reason for the change in leadership. It is their internal matter," he said.
However, Borkar indicated that the instability and conflicting signals emerging from the Congress have made it difficult for other opposition parties to assess future political cooperation.
"They keep making different statements. At one stage they said they would contest all 40 seats and at another stage they spoke about an alliance. There is confusion. Politics does not work like that. There has to be a plan and strategy well in advance," he said.
The RGP MLA said opposition unity remains important if the BJP is to be challenged effectively, but stressed that any alliance must be based on clarity and a common understanding.
"Alliance is the need of the hour, but there must be clear thinking on how to go about it," he said.
Borkar also raised questions about the Congress' ability to retain elected legislators, citing Goa's history of defections. He said merely winning elections would not be enough unless voters are assured that elected representatives would remain committed to the party.
He questioned the reliability of potential Congress candidates, saying many lack grassroots connections and often have political backgrounds linked to the BJP.
"Even if Congress gets 21 MLAs or more, what guarantee is there that they will remain with the party? If their background is BJP, they could go back to the BJP. Goa has a history of Congress legislators switching sides after elections," Borkar said.
On what the RGP would expect from Congress in the event of pre-poll alliance discussions, Borkar said the primary objective should be defeating the BJP while also agreeing on a strong common minimum programme.
"Land is a huge issue today and it needs protection. If a new government comes to power and follows the same path, then there is no point. Protection of Goa's land and identity must be central to any alternative government," he said.
Addressing questions about whom Congress would engage with in the RGP following the resignation of former party president Manoj Parab, Borkar dismissed concerns about instability within his own party.
"We have different committees and discussions will take place through those committees. Internal differences exist in every party, including Congress and BJP, and we will resolve our issues internally," he said.
Borkar also revealed that Congress has not approached the RGP for any alliance discussions so far. He noted that the RGP had refrained from contesting the Ponda by-election to leave the field open for Congress, but said there had been no follow-up engagement from the party since then.
Borkar’s remarks come at a time when the Goa Congress is facing internal dissent following the change in State leadership, with several party functionaries and workers expressing dissatisfaction over the move, raising fresh questions about opposition unity ahead of the assembly elections.
