This may make reading interesting. Alliance partners Congress and Goa Forward never miss an opportunity to swear by Opposition unity in a bid to checkmate the saffron brigade in the 2027 Assembly election. However, leaders of the two parties — GPCC chief Girishbab Chodankar and Goa Forward president Vijaibab Sardesai — may now have to answer one simple question: what has stopped them from kick-starting discussions on the future of their alliance? Talks between the two parties were expected to begin after July 5, once Girishbab returned from Tamil Nadu and Vijaibab wrapped up his visit to the UK. Even on Girishbab’s birthday, both leaders reiterated the need to discuss the alliance. The only question that remains is: when?
Radharao’s remarks raise questions over Cong link
Former United Goans Democratic Party ideologue Adv Radharaobab Gracias has once again found himself under the political spotlight. His remarks at Congress leaders, former bureaucrat Elvisbab Gomes and Pratimabai Coutinho, have triggered questions about his own association with the Congress. Known for his anti-Congress stand over the years, Radharaobab has claimed that he supported Congress candidate Captain Viriatbab Fernandes in the 2024 Lok Sabha election to defeat the BJP. His latest remarks, however, have drawn sharp reactions from Elvisbab and others, who have questioned what role he seeks to play in the Congress when he is not even a member of the principal Opposition party. Food for thought.
Cong, Goa Forward look to capitalise on RGP infighting
With no end in sight to the political turmoil within the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), both the Congress and Goa Forward are expected to intensify efforts to reach out to workers and sympathisers of the regional outfit. The timing is significant, coming soon after Leader of Opposition Yuribab Alemao and Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai returned from the UK, where they separately interacted with the Goan diaspora, including leaders and members associated with the Revolutionary Goans Party. Whether these interactions translate into political gains ahead of 2027 remains to be seen. Wait and watch.
Ind or party ticket? All eyes on Reginaldo for 2027 polls
How Curtorim Independent MLA Reginaldbab Lourenco will chart his political course ahead of the 2027 Assembly election has become a topic of discussion in political circles. The four-time MLA is presently an alliance partner of the ruling BJP and heads the influential Goa Industrial Development Corporation. Having thrown his weight behind the BJP-led dispensation, only Reginaldbab knows how this association will impact his political prospects in his home constituency, which has a sizeable minority population. The bigger question is whether Reginaldbab will once again face the electorate as an Independent or choose to contest on the ticket of a political party. Political observers will be watching closely.
BJP’s silent strategy under watch in Cuncolim
Has Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Goa BJP president Damu Naik chalked out a game plan to wrest back the politically significant Cuncolim Assembly constituency from Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao? While a section of citizens, under the banner of Swabhiman Cuncolkars, have rallied behind former bureaucrat Elvis Gomes, there has been little visible political activity from the BJP camp. The party has maintained a studied silence, leaving many to wonder whether it has a strategy in place for the 2027 Assembly elections. The BJP last tasted success in Cuncolim in 2012, when Rajan Naik defeated then minister Joaquim Alemao, largely aided by a split in the anti-BJP vote. Since then, the constituency has remained elusive for the saffron party. On the ground, local BJP workers and leaders are said to be anxiously awaiting direction from the party’s top leadership on its roadmap for Cuncolim ahead of the 2027 polls.
