GPCC chief insists on clear stand against BJP amid differences within party
GPCC chief Amit Patkar making a point that Utpal Parrikar clears his ideological stand against the BJP.
MARGAO
In a significant political development that may trigger a debate of sorts in the Congress camp in the run up to the elections for the Corporation of the City of Panaji, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Amit Patkar on Friday said Utpal Parrikar, son of former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar, should outline his ideological stand against the BJP.
Patkar’s remarks assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the fact that Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao had last week announced that the Congress would support the panel formed by Utpal Parrikar to fight the CCP polls.
When the media drew attention of the GPCC chief to Alemao’s statement, seeking to know whether a Congress tie-up with Parrikar will have ideological implications for the principal Opposition party, Patkar was categorically clear in saying the Congress is engaged in an ideological fight against the BJP. “For the CCP election, which is not fought on party lines, the party will go with like-minded individuals,” he said.
When the media further asked whether the Congress has assessed the fall out of the ideological implications if the Congress enters into a tie-up with Utpal Parrikar as announced by the Leader of Opposition, Patkar shot back saying, “the Congress will oppose the BJP-backed panel contesting the CCP poll”.
When questioned further, Patkar said Parrikar has to make his stand clear on his ideology, since the Congress fight is against the BJP. “The Congress is ideologically against the BJP. There is an ideological fight between the BJP and the Congress. There is not going to be any friendly fight any more. Hence, Parrikar should make his stand very clear on his ideological stand, because the Congress stand is against the BJP”.
Patkar’s stand has triggered a debate of sorts in the party forum, with senior leaders trying to figure out whether the Leader of Opposition’s comments on tie up with Parrikar was made at his individual level, or was endorsed by the party leadership.
In fact, a senior leader pointed out whether the Congress would stand to gain by supporting the Parrikar-led panel for the upcoming CCP poll, seeking to know whether Parrikar would reciprocate support to the Congress in the future.
Patkar responds to MLA’s remarks, says role demands wider view
MARGAO: Saying the Congress Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa is his big brother, GPCC chief Amit Patkar on Friday said his role as a Congress president demands that he takes a holistic view of the entire State on the question of the party stitching alliances with non-BJP political parties.
When the media sought his reaction to Altone’s recent remarks that Patkar should become an MLA before talking about alliances, the GPCC chief said, “Altone is my big brother. His statement shows that he wants me to get elected in the 2027 elections and go to the Goa Legislative Assembly. He has shown his emotions and I respect his emotions. In fact, Altone has charged me to work and win the coming election. I had lost the 2022 election by a whisker,” he said.
Saying that Altone has voiced his sentiment being the MLA of Quepem constituency, Patkar, however, said that he has to take into consideration entire Goa given his role as GPCC chief.
When asked to outline the stand of the Congress High Command on alliances with like-minded political parties, Patkar said it is now very clear that the Congress would not make any compromises in area, where the party has sitting MLAs or wide support. “We can consider stitching alliances with parties where the party is relatively weak and the vote share is weak,” he added.
Referring to the recent ZP polls, Patkar said the Congress has proved the party’s strength at the grassroots. “Even the party rank and file proved me wrong when the party gave the Benaulim ZP seat to Aam Aadmi Party in the 2024 by-poll. I had gone against the party workers in 2024. In the recent ZP election, they proved me wrong as they have won the seats of Benaulim and Velim by defeating AAP and show AAP its place. With the Congress party now enjoying support at the grassroots, it is a clear indication the party will form the government in 2027,” he added.
