MARGAO
From stitching together the Goa First alliance barely a week ago to now calling for a grand alliance of opposition parties, the Goa Forward Party appears to be signalling openness to renewed alliance talks with the Congress ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Speculation over a possible revival of alliance talks between the Congress and the Goa Forward Party intensified after Revolutionary Goans Party president Shavina Naik Shirodkar and party workers joined the Congress-led Goy Rakhon Yatra on Wednesday.
The speculation was further fuelled by Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai’s call from Ajmer for a grand alliance of opposition parties to take on the BJP in the 2027 elections.
Sardesai’s social media post from Ajmer, in which he spoke of the need for different political forces to “walk together” when they share the same destination, has also triggered questions over whether Goa Forward leaders and workers could join the Congress during its ongoing Goy Rakhon Yatra.
“Khwaja Garib Nawaz taught us that UNITY is built by looking beyond differences and coming together in service of something bigger than ourselves. Perhaps Goa too stands at such a moment. Different paths. Different voices. But when the destination is the same, there comes a time to WALK TOGETHER,” Sardesai posted.
The statement assumes significance against the backdrop of remarks by AICC general secretary K C Venugopal, who told the media at the Goy Rakhon Manch during his visit to Goa on Wednesday that the Congress was open to a grand opposition alliance, provided the opposition parties were serious about coming together.
Political observers believe the recent statements from both the Congress and Goa Forward Party leaders could indicate renewed efforts to bring the opposition parties together ahead of the Assembly elections.
“This appears to be more than just a coincidence. First, Congress Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare told the media that the party doors were still open for discussions with the Goa Forward Party. This was followed by calls for unity from Goa Forward leaders. Now we hear Goa Forward chief Sardesai and AICC general secretary Venugopal speaking about a grand opposition alliance. This certainly does not appear to be a coincidence,” a political observer said.
The Congress’ Goy Rakhon Yatra is scheduled to cover all 40 Assembly constituencies over the next fortnight before culminating in Cuncolim, the constituency represented by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.
Against this backdrop, attention is now turning to October 7, when the Yatra is scheduled to enter Fatorda, Sardesai’s home turf, and whether the Congress and Goa Forward Party will return to the negotiating table before then.
---
As GFP pushes grand alliance, AAP keeps up Cong attack
MARGAO: Even as the Goa Forward Party spoke of a grand opposition alliance, its alliance partner Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday again warned Goans against voting for the Congress party.
Aam Aadmi Party senior vice-president Sandesh Taleikar pointed out that in the recently concluded Rajasthan municipal elections, the Congress led in three Rajasthan civic bodies, but the BJP still got the Chair/Mayor.
Stating that a vote for Congress is a trap that leads to the victory of the BJP, Sandesh pointed out that in Baran, Rajasthan, AAP councillors ensured an AAP Mayor by crushing the BJP.
