Says parties aligning with saffron party suffer setbacks
PANAJI
The Congress on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the ruling BJP, accusing it of systematically weakening and sidelining regional parties across the country, while claiming that its ally, the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), is facing a similar fate in Goa.
Addressing a press conference, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar alleged that several regional parties that aligned with the BJP for political gains eventually suffered electoral and organisational setbacks.
“Parties such as the Shiromani Akali Dal in Punjab, the Biju Janata Dal in Odisha, the Shiv Sena and NCP in Maharashtra, and even the BSP have seen what the BJP has done to them. Regional parties that go with the BJP for short-term benefits are eventually weakened or destroyed,” Chodankar said.
Referring to the MGP, which is currently part of the BJP-led alliance in Goa, Chodankar said it was for the regional party to decide “how long it wants to continue suffering humiliation” within the alliance.
Citing a recent controversy surrounding the rollout of smart electricity meters, Chodankar alleged that the public opposition led by Minister Digambar Kamat against the project was orchestrated by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to target Power Minister Sudin Dhavalikar.
“No minister can openly take on another minister without the Chief Minister's consent. Digambar Kamat was put at the forefront to target Sudin Dhavalikar on the smart meter issue. See the level of humiliation,” he alleged.
When asked about the possibility of a Congress-MGP alliance for the 2027 Assembly elections, Chodankar ruled out any discussion at present, stating that the MGP remains aligned with the BJP.
Taking a swipe at the ruling government, the Congress leader claimed that public dissatisfaction with the BJP has grown due to alleged scams and anti-people decisions over the last 15 years.
“The people have already made up their minds. This government's expiry period is nearing completion. You will see many political changes in the coming days,” he said.
Chodankar also reiterated the Congress' alliance with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and indicated that public sentiment was strongly against fielding defectors as candidates. He pointed out that seven out of ten defectors were defeated in the 2022 Assembly elections.
