MARGAO
The political climate in Goa is steadily heating up ahead of the upcoming elections. Visits by top BJP leader and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, as well as Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, have virtually sounded the war bugle in poll-bound Goa.
The State is bracing for a series of crucial electoral battles — starting with the 2025 Zilla Panchayat polls, followed by the 2026 civic polls. Both these elections are widely seen as the “semi-finals” leading up to the high-stakes 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
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The visits of Shah and Kejriwal come against the backdrop of Goa’s political landscape witnessing a significant churn over the past week. Consider this: the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) virtually severed all ties with the Congress, even accusing Rahul Gandhi's party of betrayal. This development has raised serious doubts about whether the two parties will ever unite to challenge the BJP.
Meanwhile, this week saw leaders of the two regional parties – Goa Forward Party and Revolutionary Goans Party – coming together in support of the Mopa taxi operators. This has only fuelled speculation on whether leaders of the regional parties are warming to each other in the run-up to the polls.
The Congress party, on the other hand, was also in the news, but over the leadership tangle facing the party, with reports suggesting the return of Congress Working Committee member Girish Chodankar as Goa Pradesh Congress Committee chief — a move opposed by a section of the party.
Shah in Goa: BJP’s calculated poll move
Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Goa is being seen by political observers as part of the BJP’s calculated strategy — not only to energise and mobilise the party cadre ahead of the upcoming elections, but also to use high-profile project launches as a way to consolidate support among key voter segments.
Among these is the Mhaje Ghar scheme, which is widely interpreted as an effort to keep certain sections of society in good humour in the run-up to the polls.
The BJP’s decision to bring in none other than Shah — widely regarded as the party’s strongman and chief poll strategist — to launch these initiatives is being read as a strong message to critics and opponents: the party is fully committed to these schemes, and there is no turning back.
The BJP’s State leadership will be hoping to capitalise on Shah’s visit to energise the party’s rank and file as Goa enters the election season.
Kejriwal sounds poll bugle for AAP
Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal’s three-day visit is aimed at mobilising the party’s volunteers to gear up for the Zilla Panchayat election. The 2027 Assembly election may be a little over 15 months away, but AAP has on more than one occasion sent clear signals that the party will go all out for the kill in the ensuing ZP polls.
Kejriwal’s visit carries multiple layers of political significance. It marks his first trip to the State post-Delhi Assembly elections. His agenda to hold meetings with party volunteers across North and South Goa is aimed at strengthening grassroots connections and expanding the party’s base.
Kejriwal has set the narrative for the upcoming polls by accusing both the BJP and the Congress alliance of ruling Goa for the last 13 years, sending a clear signal that it intends to go solo in the upcoming elections.
