PANAJI
The All India Congress Committee's (AICC) decision to reappoint Girish Chodankar as president of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has plunged the State unit into turmoil, triggering a wave of resignations, open dissent and growing resentment among party leaders just months before the crucial 2027 Assembly elections.
What was intended as an organisational overhaul by the Congress high command has instead exposed deep fault lines within the Goa Congress, with several leaders accusing the party leadership of imposing decisions without consulting grassroots workers and local functionaries.
The first signs of rebellion emerged within hours of the announcement, as GPCC General Secretary Manisha Usgaonkar tendered her resignation, publicly questioning both the timing and rationale behind replacing Amit Patkar at a critical juncture ahead of the elections.
The discontent quickly spread through the party ranks. Goa Congress Social Media Chairman Divyakumar Khandhar resigned, followed by GPCC members including Shamila Siddiqui, Rajesh Sawal, Saee Volvoikar and Vishal Volvoikar. Their exits underscored the growing unease over the leadership change.
The backlash has been particularly intense in South Goa, where block-level leaders and party workers have openly expressed anger over the AICC's move. Some disgruntled workers have even called upon South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes to resign from the Lok Sabha in protest against what they described as the central leadership's disregard for the sentiments of Goa Congress workers.
Sources said Quepem MLA Altone D'Costa, who was simultaneously appointed one of the GPCC's working presidents, has conveyed strong reservations over the leadership change and is expected to formally communicate his displeasure to the party high command.
Capt Viriato is also learnt to be unhappy with the decision. Party insiders point out that Fernandes had played a key role nearly six months ago in stalling an earlier attempt to replace Patkar, making the latest move by the high command particularly contentious.
Several Congress leaders have privately questioned the wisdom of bringing back Chodankar, who resigned as GPCC president following the party's disappointing performance in the 2022 Assembly elections, where Congress won only 11 seats.
The reappointment follows Chodankar's successful stint as AICC in-charge for Tamil Nadu, where he was credited with helping forge a post-poll alliance with Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) after the regional party's impressive electoral debut.
Amid the escalating crisis, the GPCC moved swiftly on Sunday to project organisational stability by announcing a fresh round of appointments aimed at strengthening the party structure.
GPCC Working President M K Shaikh appointed Himanshu Tivrekar as Convenor of the Social Media Department, Glenn Cabral as Convenor of the Cumbarjua Block Congress Committee and Suryakant Gawade as Convenor of the Sankhalim Block Congress Committee.
Party leaders described the appointments as part of an effort to strengthen grassroots outreach and rebuild organisational momentum. However, political observers noted that the move also aimed at containing the damage caused by the resignations and signalling that the party machinery remains functional despite the internal unrest.
With barely months left before the election campaign enters full swing, the Congress now faces the challenge of containing a growing internal rebellion while presenting a united front against the BJP.
Congress North Goa district President Shashank Narvekar said that Chodankar’s active role in the election campaign in Tamil Nadu and forging the government cannot be ignored. “It was his experience and contribution that prompted the party leaders to entrust him with responsibilities in the State,” he said.
The Goa Pradesh Youth Congress has welcomed Chodankar’s leadership stating that his dedication, experience, and unwavering commitment to the ideals of the Congress party continue to inspire countless workers across Goa. “We are confident that under your leadership, the party will emerge stronger, more united, and more connected to the aspirations of the people of Goa,” Youth Congress said.
