Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Goa AAP has firmly ruled out any future alliance with the Congress, accusing the party of supporting the BJP in the state for decades. Speaking at a press conference, AAP leader Valmiki Naik stated that while his party never opposed the Congress — even helping them win the South Goa MP seat — an alliance with them is not in the interest of the people. “The BJP government in Goa exists today because of Congress’s support and blessings. For their own selfish reasons, Congress helped form the BJP government back in 1999. Even Rahul Gandhi admitted in Gujarat that the Congress there helps the BJP — and the same is true in Goa,” Naik added.
AAP Goa President Amit Palekar accused his Congress counterpart Amit Patkar of engaging in backdoor dealings by visiting the Chief Minister’s official residence before heading to Valpoi. Palekar also questioned why Patkar did not campaign in Sankhalim.
Palekar elaborated that despite warnings from his own party leaders, he personally convinced AAP to support a Congress alliance, helping secure Captain Viriato’s victory. However, after the election, South Goa Congress members publicly declared they did not want an alliance with AAP, and their president Amit Patkar remained silent. He added that during the Rama Kankonkar issue, AAP was among the first to take to the streets, yet Congress leaders and MLAs, including Manickrao Thakre, praised AAP’s efforts only for appearances.
Palekar further criticized Patkar, saying, “A few days ago, he challenged us to an open debate — I accepted it, but he wanted to debate with Arvind Kejriwal. Does he even have that level? Any ordinary Goan who wants to set up a small stall has to go through several permissions, yet the Congress president easily got permission for iron ore transport. Even his own party block is against him because he has compromised. He claims he never visited the Sakhali constituency, yet he quietly enters the Chief Minister’s bungalow at night through the back gate. He even appointed one of Pramod Sawant’s associates as the Sakhali block president. Meanwhile, Dharmesh Saglani, who once gave a strong fight in election to the CM, has now been sidelined.”
Highlighting the upcoming 2027 elections, AAP reiterated that their priority is to prevent a BJP government in Goa and that an alliance with Congress is not part of their strategy. “Today, the only party in India truly fighting against the BJP is the Aam Aadmi Party,” Palekar asserted. The party accused Congress of indulging in “dirty politics” and questioned their sincerity toward collaborative efforts.
