It is true that RGP and AAP played a major role in splitting votes in the 2022 Assembly elections. In many seats, Congress candidates would have won if these parties had not cut into the opposition vote. This helped the BJP return to power, along with several tainted ministers whose actions have caused serious damage to Goa. However, Congress cannot be given a clean chit. The party itself is largely responsible for the BJP ruling Goa for so many years. The BJP first came to power in 2012 mainly because Congress ministers were seen as corrupt. At that time, neither AAP nor RGP had any presence. When Congress earlier had near-absolute power, it failed to pass strong laws to protect Goa’s land, environment and identity. There was no action on special status, curbing the sale of agricultural land to outsiders, or clearly defining a Person of Goan Origin. Even in 2022, Congress repeated old mistakes by giving tickets to tainted leaders and real estate heavyweights, some close to the BJP. In places like Benaulim, proper candidate selection was ignored. Now Congress must accept its mistakes and work with other opposition parties to defeat the BJP. It has a moral duty to correct the mess it helped create.
