MARGAO
In a significant political development in the Opposition camp, senior leaders of the Congress and the Goa Forward Party (GFP) met on Saturday for the first time in recent months and expressed their commitment to strengthening their alliance ahead of the 2027 Assembly polls.
Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai, accompanied by party leader Vikas Bhagat, visited the residence of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar on Saturday afternoon, setting in motion formal discussions between the two parties on forging a united Opposition front.
The meeting assumes significance as it comes against the backdrop of Sardesai’s recent remarks at the GFP workers’ convention in Canacona, where he reportedly stated that people in Goa were ready to vote for cockroaches, but not for the Congress, triggering resentment within the party.
However, before the differences could escalate, Sardesai reached out to the Congress president, with Saturday’s meeting aimed at discussing the prevailing political situation in the State and taking forward alliance talks.
Describing the meeting as cordial and productive, both leaders said discussions would continue in the coming days.
In a social media post, Chodankar said, “Today, I had a cordial and fruitful meeting with Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai. We held detailed discussions on the pressing issues facing Goa under the Pramod Sawant-led BJP government and exchanged views on the way forward.”
He added, “We also discussed the importance of further strengthening the alliance in the larger interest of Goa. We will soon hold formal discussions to build greater consensus on the alliance.”
Emphasising the need for unity, Chodankar said an alliance can succeed only when it is guided by discipline, mutual respect, alliance dharma and the willingness to make sacrifices for a common purpose. “Our shared objective is clear — to unite and defeat the corrupt, scam-ridden BJP government and provide Goa with a transparent, accountable and people-centric alternative,” he said.
Sardesai, in his own social media post, said, “As promised at our Canacona convention, I today initiated discussions with GPCC president Girish Chodankar to begin the process of forging a united people’s alternative to the BJP government in Goa.”
He described the meeting as cordial, constructive and focused on the road ahead.
“This is the first step towards Opposition unity, with Goa’s interests above all else. The roadmap will be shared transparently, and the people of Goa will remain at the centre of every decision. Goa First. Unite. Win,” Sardesai said.
Speaking to the media, Sardesai said Goa Forward Party would keep the people of Goa informed about developments in the alliance talks with the Congress and that the discussions would be held in a transparent manner.
