Congress dismisses AAP’s role in Ponda by-poll

AICC Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare claimed the fight is strictly between the Congress and the BJP in Ponda by-election.

PANAJI

The Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) political relevance in Goa, especially in Ponda ahead of the bypoll, has come under sharp criticism from the Congress, which said the party is only trying to maintain its national presence and is not a real electoral challenge.

Speaking during Prudent’s Head On, AICC Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare dismissed the idea of a triangular contest in the Ponda bypoll, saying the fight is strictly between the Congress and the BJP. He claimed AAP has little political presence in the constituency and that voters are unlikely to “waste their votes” on a party that is “not in the fray” but only trying to make its presence felt.

“This is not a triangular contest but a straight fight between Congress and BJP. AAP has no real political standing here, and people will not waste their votes. The party is not in the fray,” he said.

Thakare also alleged that AAP’s activities in Goa are driven by its need to retain its national party status. “This is what I strongly believe,” he said.

He added that voters in Ponda, which he described as having a strong Congress base, will remain loyal to the party. Referring to Congress’ long association with former leader Ravi Naik, Thakare said that while MLAs may switch sides, voters remain committed.

Targeting the BJP, he accused the party of pushing a “legacy narrative” in Ponda, and noted that it had earlier fielded two different candidates in the bypoll instead of directly backing Ritesh Naik.

Looking ahead to the 2027 Assembly elections, the AICC leader stressed the need for opposition unity to defeat the BJP, while acknowledging that ideological differences with parties like the Revolutionary Goans Party would remain. He said the Congress is ready to take the lead in holding talks with regional parties, including the Goa Forward Party, to build a broader anti-BJP front without compromising on its principles. “Talks are always held, but seat sharing cannot be finalised six or seven months in advance,” he said.

Thakare added that the Congress is focusing strongly on North Goa and is making steady progress.

On party discipline, he made it clear that eight defectors who had left the Congress would not be taken back. He said the public would question the party’s credibility if it accepted leaders who had “betrayed” both the party and voters, especially after taking oaths in religious places.