PANAJI: The Goa Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has firmly ruled out any electoral alliance with the Congress party, citing repeated support from Congress that has helped the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stay in power.
Speaking at a press conference today, AAP leader Valmiki Naik criticized the Congress for backing BJP governments in Goa for decades. He said, “The BJP government exists solely because of the Congress party’s cause and money. The first BJP government in 1999 was formed with Congress leaders’ support, not by the mandate of the people. For selfish reasons, Congress brought BJP to power in Goa for the first time. From 1999 until today, every BJP government has relied on Congress support.”
Naik also pointed out, “BJP claims to have 33 MLAs, but at least 22 to 23 are strong Congress leaders. Congress leaders make up two-thirds of today’s government. I am not supporting defection, but these are the facts. The Goan Congress unit is helping BJP come to power repeatedly, against the people of Goa.”
He further questioned the credibility of Congress's oaths to retain MLAs, stating, “An affidavit was signed that turned out to be meaningless. Today, the Congress faces only one question: will your MLAs stay with you or go to BJP? You took God’s oath to protect them, but who is bigger than God?”
AAP Goa Chief Amit Palekar also addressed allegations regarding party alliances. He said the party had given potential partners until October 2 to discuss alliances, but claims surfaced of a misleading video suggesting AAP was aligned with BJP. Palekar stated, “The criticism was of the lowest standard. The attempt was to portray AAP as supporting BJP, which is completely false. Our only aim is to defeat BJP in 2027.”
Palekar elaborated on AAP’s work in Goa, highlighting campaigns against potholes, road safety, and BJP misgovernance. “We launched campaigns and worked on the ground to improve roads and services. We collected over one lakh signatures for road repairs, and even then, the BJP continued its misrule. Our intention has always been to fight BJP, not Congress,” he said.
On the possibility of alliances with other parties, Palekar clarified, “If people feel the need, we are open to discussions with parties like the Goa Forward Party and the Revolutionary Goans Party. But an alliance with Congress is completely off the table. Our objective is clear: defeat BJP, not compromise with parties that prop them up.”
AAP leaders emphasized that the party has no defectors and remains focused on grassroots issues, from local governance to public grievances. Palekar concluded, “We are the constitutional party fighting against BJP’s corrupt government. Hindus, Muslims, Catholics, everyone is with us in this fight. We will not let BJP repeat its rule in 2027.”
