PANAJI
Even as the much anticipated Opposition alliance between Congress, Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), and Goa Forward Party (GFP) is showing signs of turbulence ahead of the Zilla Panchayat elections, with disagreements over seat sharing and GFP’s admission of former Congress MLA Isidore Fernandes sparking unease, speculation is gaining ground that RGP may explore a tie up with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
The talk intensified following the return of RGP president Manoj Parab and its lone legislator Viresh Borkar from a visit to New Delhi. While Parab maintained that formal announcements would be made only after the High Court delivers its verdict on seat reservations, he acknowledged that “possibilities including alliance with AAP were being considered.
Though AAP has not issued an official statement, its Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas hinted at ideological convergence between the two parties.
“There is not much of a difference in the ideologies and our raison d’être in politics,” he told reporters when asked to comment.
Viegas emphasized that both AAP and RGP are on common ground in their opposition to granting electoral platforms to defectors, a stance that resonates strongly in Goa’s political discourse.
At the same time, Viegas clarified that AAP’s current strategy is to contest the ZP polls independently, highlighting its governance model and grassroots initiatives such as the Amche Arogya Polyclinics.
He added that any shift in approach would be deliberated by the party’s core committee, leaving the door open for future adjustments depending on political developments.
The possibility of an AAP–RGP tie up could significantly alter the Opposition landscape. Both parties have cultivated images of clean governance and grassroots activism, appealing to voters disillusioned with traditional political players.
A partnership could consolidate their support base, particularly among younger and first time voters, while also complicating Congress’s efforts to lead a united Opposition front.
The turbulence within the Congress–RGP–GFP alliance underscores the fragility of pre poll coalitions in Goa, where local dynamics and candidate selection often override broader political strategies.
GFP’s move to induct Isidore Fernandes has already strained relations with RGP and Congress, raising questions about trust and cohesion within the alliance.
For now, the Opposition’s roadmap remains uncertain. Whether the alliance holds, fragments, or evolves into new partnerships such as an AAP–RGP understanding will likely depend on the strategic calculations of party leaders in the weeks ahead.
