PANAJI
A day after Goa Forward Party (GFP) chief Vijai Sardesai hinted at a possible “realignment” ahead of 2027 polls, the Congress on Saturday signalled that it has not shut the door on renewing its alliance with its former electoral partner, even as GFP remains tied up with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) under the newly announced ‘Goa First’ front.
AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare said the Congress was willing to work with all parties seeking to defeat the BJP, leaving the possibility of a renewed understanding with Sardesai’s GFP open.
“Congress hasn’t closed its doors on GFP for an alliance with it. Everybody who wants to defeat BJP in the 2027 elections is open to joining hands with us,” Thakare said.
His remarks assume significance coming barely days after AAP and GFP formally launched the ‘Goa First’ alliance for the 2027 polls, positioning it as a non-BJP, non-Congress alternative. Sardesai subsequently said GFP would consider any realignment based on public sentiment on Opposition unity.
Thakare said the Congress had consistently kept its doors open to potential allies despite differences in public positions. “We have always kept the doors open. We have never talked about closing them. As long as the people want, we will try to fight together against the BJP. This is the voice of the people, not ours,” he said.
Sources in Congress told The Goan that the party’s central leadership is already engaged with Sardesai over the possibility of a pre-poll understanding and that AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal and Thakare are in touch with the GFP chief, with the issue having also reached Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Sources claimed Kharge has given the go-ahead to the central leaders to continue discussions with Sardesai. The State Congress leadership, however, has not been formally informed about any such arrangement, they said.
“If the alliance with GFP materialises, the State unit will have to accept the high command’s decision,” the sources said, adding that there were no similar discussions with AAP at present.
Thakare confirmed that the central leadership was working towards bringing Opposition parties together.
“People who want to defeat BJP should come forward. Congress is a major party,” he said.
He said the Congress had reached out to both the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) and GFP and would continue efforts to build a united Opposition. “Be it the RGP, be it Sardesai's party, or any party that wants to fight against the BJP, we have tried our best to bring them all together,” Thakare said.
The Congress leader also indicated that the party would avoid a public war of words with potential allies and instead continue pursuing Opposition unity.
Meanwhile, Thakare chaired a meeting with the State Congress leadership on Saturday to review the party’s campaign strategy, possible shortcomings and preparations for the elections.
On candidate selection, Thakare maintained that there was no confusion within the party and that the established selection process would be followed.
Thakare also said the September 22 Goy Rakhonn Yatra would focus on issues including law and order, women’s safety, environmental concerns, passenger safety and land-related matters. He said the Congress wanted the yatra to provide a platform for people and political groups sharing concerns over the government’s policies.
