The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Goa appears to be undermining efforts to unite the Opposition by choosing to go it alone. This could split Opposition votes and indirectly benefit the BJP. The people of Goa should therefore urge all Opposition parties to set aside their differences and work towards a common front. The Congress-Revolutionary Party combine has kept its doors open to the Goa Forward Party and AAP and has reportedly refrained from announcing candidates in the hope of achieving Opposition unity. AAP should also reconsider its position if its stated objective is to defeat the BJP. In the 2022 Assembly elections, Opposition parties and independents together secured around 66.6 per cent of the votes, compared with around 33.3 per cent for the BJP. This indicates the potential strength of a united Opposition. It is equally important that the proposed new Goa Congress Party and the four seats expected to be reserved for Scheduled Tribes do not weaken the unity effort. Opposition parties must prioritise cooperation and work towards presenting voters with a united alternative.
STEPHEN DIAS, Dona Paula
