AAP accuses Cong of targeting its Salcete strongholds, not BJP

PANAJI
The Opposition unity effort in Goa ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections has hit fresh friction, with AAP accusing the Congress of targeting its strongholds instead of focusing on defeating the BJP, while keeping the door open for the Congress to join its proposed Goa First alliance.
Speaking to the media, AAP Goa chief Valmiki Naik said the party had waited for the Congress to initiate talks on an alliance but claimed that no meeting had taken place despite repeated efforts.
“Congress is a senior Opposition party. We waited a long time for their call for an alliance, but not a single meeting took place,” Naik said.
He claimed that while the Congress had sent an official letter to the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), no such communication was sent to AAP, which led the party to believe that Congress did not want it as part of the alliance.
Naik said AAP had simultaneously been in talks with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and RGP and had received a positive response from GFP. He said the Goa First alliance was being pursued with the objective of forming a “BJP-mukt Sarkar” in 2027, adding that the alliance’s doors remained open to Congress.
However, Naik questioned Congress’ strategy for the 2027 elections, alleging that it appeared more focused on AAP-held constituencies such as Benaulim and Velim than on defeating the BJP.
“Looks like we are the target and not BJP,” he said. He also questioned whether joining hands with Congress would help achieve the objective of defeating the BJP.
Naik further attacked Congress over its reported willingness to accommodate BJP defectors, citing the examples of Michael Lobo and Babush Monserrate. He alleged that such politicians could join Congress before the elections and later return to the BJP.
AAP, he said, was also in touch with strong independent leaders who wanted to defeat the BJP and would not support a post-poll arrangement with the party. Naik urged Congress not to “cheat Goans again” and said AAP would continue working towards building an alternative political front for 2027.