Ideological gaps, candidate tussles stall alliance formation as ZP nomination deadline nears
MAPUSA
What began as a promising attempt to consolidate Goa’s fragmented opposition has steadily descended into uncertainty. The proposed alliance between the Congress, Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) – once projected as a united challenge to the ruling BJP – now looks increasingly fragile just days before candidates must file their nominations.
At the centre of the drift is a widening gap between public expectation and political preparedness.
Despite weeks of back-and-forth, the Congress has announced candidates in only 11 of the 50 ZP constituencies. GFP and RGP, meanwhile, have neither released candidate lists nor confirmed their participation in a formal opposition bloc.
Insiders across all three parties privately acknowledge that seat-sharing talks have slowed.
A senior Congress functionary described the situation as “fluid,” while RGP sources pointed to “differences on approach and ground realities” that remain unresolved.
The delay has reinforced an impression of disarray within the opposition at a time when the ruling party’s campaign machinery is already active at the grassroots.
Adding to the friction is the ideological tension between the oldest and the newest opposition players.
“It’s becoming increasingly difficult to form an alliance with RGP because of its unreasonable demands on some seats and its very rigid stand on migrants,” a Congress leader said on condition of anonymity.
For the Congress, the slow rollout of candidates raises uncomfortable questions about internal coordination and its ability to anchor a multi-party front.
For the RGP – still seen as a disruptive force in parts of rural Goa – the hesitation reflects either mistrust of traditional political partners or reluctance to compromise on candidate selection and positioning.
Political observers warn that delays of this sort come with a heavy cost.
“The way alliance talks are going on and the crossfire that’s happening publicly does not give the alliance any credibility,” said political analyst Trajano D’Mello.
Historically, fragmented Opposition strategies have routinely benefited the BJP in local body elections, which reward early mobilisation, organisational depth and unified messaging.
The ZP polls are widely read as a bellwether of rural influence and organisational strength.
A splintered Opposition – whether by design or default – would once again leave the field open for the BJP to dominate.
While Congress insists that talks are ongoing, the signals from its potential partners are mixed.
GFP chief Vijai Sardesai has deftly shifted responsibility onto the Congress, saying, “The ball of alliance is in the Congress’ court. The principal Opposition party is expected to take the required decision to defeat the BJP.”
Repeated calls to RGP President Manoj Parab and St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar went unanswered, adding to speculation that negotiations have hit a hard pause.
With the nomination deadline now a few days away, Goa will soon know whether the Opposition can salvage a united front – or whether the Zilla Panchayat elections will once again be a contest fought on fractured lines, to the BJP’s advantage.
