MAPUSA
The Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) entered Goa's political landscape as a disruptive force, channelling concerns over land, jobs, migration and cultural identity.
In the 2022 Assembly elections, the party succeeded in translating public sentiment into electoral gains, securing representation in the Assembly and establishing itself as a credible alternative to both the BJP and Congress.
However, four years later, the political environment has changed considerably. The resignation of former RGP president Manoj Parab, his departure from the party and his decision to quit active politics exposed deep fissures within the organisation.
What was once projected as a united grassroots movement is now perceived by many as a divided outfit, with loyalties split between supporters of Parab and those aligned with the party's lone MLA, Viresh Borkar.
The fallout has inevitably weakened the party's ability to present itself as a cohesive political force. For a party that built its appeal on being different from traditional political formations, internal discord has damaged its credibility. Voters who supported RGP as an alternative are likely to question whether the party can effectively challenge larger rivals when it is battling internal instability.
Congress eyes potential gains
Ironically, this weakening of RGP may work to the advantage of Congress.
The principal opposition party has traditionally struggled to retain anti-BJP votes, especially among younger voters and those attracted to regionalist politics.
RGP's rise in 2022 fragmented the opposition vote in several constituencies. A diminished RGP could potentially push some of those voters back towards Congress, particularly if the latter succeeds in projecting organisational stability and electoral viability.
Yet Congress itself is hardly insulated from internal problems.
The recent replacement of Amit Patkar by Girish Chodankar as Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president has generated considerable heartburn among party workers and revived factional debates within the organisation.
While the leadership change may have been intended to strengthen the party ahead of future elections, it has also highlighted unresolved tensions within Congress ranks.
Alliance prospects remain uncertain
Against this backdrop, the possibility of a Congress-RGP understanding remains complicated. Ideologically, both parties share common ground in opposing the BJP on several governance and environmental issues. Electoral arithmetic would also suggest that opposition unity could benefit both sides.
However, trust remains a significant obstacle. RGP was founded largely on a critique of both national parties, including Congress. Many of its core supporters view Congress as part of the political establishment that the party was created to challenge.
Likewise, Congress leaders may be cautious about entering into an arrangement with a regional party whose organisational strength and internal cohesion are under question.
Viresh Borkar's recent guarded comments regarding Congress reflect this reality. While the door to cooperation may not be completely shut, neither side appears eager to commit to an alliance at this stage. Any future understanding would likely be driven more by electoral necessity than ideological convergence.
For now, RGP's immediate challenge is not alliance-building but rebuilding. Unless it can overcome the damage caused by its internal rift and redefine its political relevance, discussions about partnering with Congress may remain secondary.
In Goa's opposition politics, Congress remains the principal challenger to the BJP, but whether RGP can still claim a meaningful place alongside it will depend on how successfully it navigates its current crisis.
