PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday downplayed the Diwali-eve development at the Narkasur celebrations in Fatorda, where leaders of three Opposition parties — Congress, Goa Forward Party (GFP), and Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) — shared a stage, hinting at a possible alliance ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, calling it “a festive photo-op with no real political substance.”
“People of Goa are wise enough to see through opportunistic alliances. The BJP has always stood for stability and development, and we will continue to earn the people’s trust.”
BJP State President Damu Naik echoed the sentiment, stating that the Opposition’s gesture was “symbolic at best.”
“They may share a stage, but they don’t share a vision. The BJP is focused on governance, not theatrics,” Naik said, adding that the party remains confident of retaining power in 2027.
MGP Cabinet Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavlikar struck a more cautious tone, saying politics in Goa is unpredictable but added that his party is in coalition with the BJP and will stand by it.
He said that if there is an alliance between Opposition parties, “you must wait and watch how long it will stick together.”
The Narkasur event, traditionally a cultural celebration, saw Congress leader Yuri Alemao, GFP chief Vijai Sardesai, and RGP president Manoj Parab exchanging greetings and sharing the dais. Their camaraderie was noted by political observers as a potential precursor to a broader anti-BJP front.
While no formal announcement was made, the optics of unity have stirred speculation across Goa’s political landscape.
The festive season may have just lit a spark, and there’s still a little more than a year for the 2027 elections to arrive.
