MARGAO
The Aam Aadmi Party-Goa Forward Party’s alliance seemed to have come as a blessing to the Benaulim Congressmen, opposed to any truck with the Arvind Kejriwal-led party or with the Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas.
They, however, have sounded a note of caution to the party leadership not to throw open the party doors for new entrants, saying the Benaulim Block Congress Committee has a formidable candidate in Benaulim Zilla Panchayat member Luiza Rodrigues to bring back the lost glory in 2027.
In fact, Benaulim block Congress president Keith Gracias said the AAP-GFP tie-up came as good news for the local Congressmen, since they have been campaigning against any electoral tie-up with AAP in the coming election. “AAP has never been with the Congress. Their ideology is tilted towards the BJP and they are secular. Hence, Congressmen from Benaulim have been strongly opposing a tie-up with AAP. The alliance offers an opportunity for the Congress to win the 2027 election with a thumping majority,” he said.
Saying that the Benaulim block Congress has been pushing the candidature of Benaulim Congress ZP member Luiza Rodrigues for the ticket, Gracias said the block had already told the party leadership to consider Luiza’s candidature to regain Benaulim in 2027. “Congress chances have brightened in 2027. Congress supporters were vehemently opposed to any tie-up with the Aam Aadmi Party. If the party nominates Luiza for the ticket, Congress workers and supporters will work hard to give victory to the Congress,” he added.
Addressing reports of many new aspirants approaching the Congress, Gracias noted that some of these individuals had not supported the party in the 2025 Zilla Panchayat elections and were backing opposition candidates. “We do not want last-minute jumpers,” he asserted.
On speculation that youth leader Warren Alemao might join Congress with hopes of securing a ticket, Gracias stated, “Those interested in tickets should have joined the party at least a year ago. This shows they are motivated solely by the ticket. As of now, the block remains united behind Luiza’s candidacy and is working collectively towards her success.”
