MELBOURNE
Goa Forward Party chief and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, currently on a visit to the UK, said he is using his trip to London to engage with the Goan diaspora ahead of the Goa Assembly elections.
On Thursday, Sardesai became the first Goan to receive ‘The People’s Award 2026’ as International Politician of the Year at the House of Commons in the UK Parliament, where he accepted the honour for espousing dual citizenship for the Goan diaspora.
During an interaction, Sardesai was specifically asked whether the recent internal challenges within the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), which once enjoyed significant support among the Goan diaspora in the UK, presented an opportunity for Goa Forward to connect with those supporters and expand its base.
He was also asked whether he planned to meet members or former supporters of the RGP during his UK visit, or whether his trip was focused on other engagements.
Sardesai said the party’s ‘high command’ is the people and that Goa Forward wants to connect with all Goans, irrespective of their political affiliations, who are committed to preserving Goa’s identity.
He said his discussions with the diaspora focus on key issues including Goa’s carrying capacity, corruption, unemployment, political defections, and the demand for dual citizenship for Goans living abroad.
According to Sardesai, feedback from the diaspora will help shape the Goa Charter, which will serve as the Goa Forward Party’s manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections.
He also criticised the BJP for accepting defectors and said the Congress has failed to convince voters that it can prevent future defections.
