Venugopal had visited Goa after a recent reshuffle in the state Congress leadership, which saw Patkar replaced by Girish Chodankar as state president. His aim was to calm internal unrest and bring unity. However, Patkar on Sunday made a series of carefully phrased remarks that appeared to question the party’s leadership and its political messaging.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an event in Tivim, Patkar indirectly responded to Chodankar’s recent claim that a new regional party was being planned with BJP funding of Rs 100 crore to divide secular votes.
“Every Goan is a self-respecting person. No one can be bought with money. Talk of Rs 100 crore, Rs 50 crore or Rs 200 crore is irrelevant. Voters must be respected. Goan voters are not for sale. They are educated voters. Do not take them for granted,” Patkar said.
He also downplayed concerns about new political parties ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, saying democracy should not fear competition.
“Not one but even ten new parties may come before the elections, and no one can stop that. If people support you, you will win. We saw that in the Lok Sabha elections. We should not fear new parties. What people want should be done,” he said.
In another pointed comment, Patkar reminded party workers that Chodankar had also led the Congress during the 2022 Assembly elections, whose results are well known.
“Chodankar is a senior leader with responsibilities across the country. He led the party in 2022 and everyone knows the outcome. He is now leading us into 2027, but the Congress belongs to every worker. All leaders have shared their views with the central leadership. We have been assured things will improve. Let us hope what Goans want will happen,” he said.
Patkar said the Congress remains a democratic party where workers have the right to express concerns.
“A true Congress worker who cares for the party and is unhappy with its direction will naturally speak up,” he said.
He also tried to shift attention to the BJP, saying the Congress has spent the last four years strengthening its grassroots network, pointing to improved performance in local body elections, including its win in the Sirsaim Zilla Panchayat seat.
Even after intervention from the central leadership, Patkar’s remarks suggest that internal tensions in the Goa Congress continue, with differences over leadership and direction still simmering beneath the surface.
