PANAJI
Joint hoardings bearing the branding of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Goa Forward Party (GFP) appeared in sporadic locations across Goa, triggering speculation of a possible political realignment ahead of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s impromptu visit to the State.
The prominently displayed hoardings carry a sharp message targeting Goa’s two major national parties. “Congress and BJP cheated you twice. Don’t let them cheat you a third time,” the message on the hoarding states.
The message is widely seen as a reference to the post-election mass defections of Congress legislators to the BJP following the last two Assembly elections held in 2017 and 2022, which left the Opposition significantly dented in the two terms.
The emergence of the joint branding has fuelled political chatter over a potential electoral tie-up between AAP and GFP ahead of the 2027 elections. Neither party has officially announced any alliance, but the timing of the campaign, coinciding with Kejriwal’s visit, who arrived on Saturday and has announced a press conference at 3 pm on Sunday, has intensified the speculation.
The Congress meanwhile said discussions with the GFP were still on and communication between the leadership of both the parties is continuing.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar said: “Goa Forward has been part of our alliance since 2022. Even this morning, I spoke to the high command and was asked to wait for further information,” Chodankar said.
He maintained that the Congress had not been informed of any change in GFP’s political position and suggested that the situation remained fluid.
Chodankar also questioned the intent behind the campaign, arguing that Opposition parties should focus their criticism on the ruling government rather than fellow opposition forces. “Are we in power? We are in the opposition, then why are we being targeted?”
he asked.
The Congress leader also went a step further, alleging that the BJP could be behind the initiative. According to him, the campaign’s focus on attacking the Congress instead of the ruling party raised questions about its real purpose.
