The Opposition Pieces Begin to Fall in Place, set sights on a united fight against BJP
Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Congress and Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) have reached an in-principle understanding to contest the 2027 Goa Assembly elections together, in a move aimed at consolidating the anti-BJP vote and defeating the ruling BJP.
The understanding was reached after a three-and-a-half-hour meeting between the alliance committees of the two parties in Panaji on Sunday.
Putting Goa Before Politics
The two parties discussed the political situation in Goa and issues including land, unemployment, environmental concerns, corruption, governance, Goa’s identity and protection of natural resources.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said both sides discussed their respective priorities and agreed in principle to fight the elections together.
“Our primary objective is to save Goa and protect the interests of Goans. The people of Goa want change, and we must ensure that the anti-BJP vote is not divided,” Alemao said.
RGP State President Shavina S. Naik Shirodkar said the discussions were constructive and focused on the future of Goa and its people.
RGP National President and St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar said the proposed understanding must remain rooted in the aspirations of ordinary Goans.
South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes said the larger challenge before Goa was to bring together political forces committed to protecting the state.
The Vote That Cannot Split
GPCC President Girish Chodankar said the understanding was an important step towards creating a united electoral alternative to the BJP.
“This is not an alliance for the sake of numbers. This is a political initiative to save Goa. The BJP has benefited for too long from the fragmentation of votes that want change. We cannot allow the same mistake to be repeated in 2027,” Chodankar said.
He said Congress and RGP had decided to put Goa’s interests above party considerations and work towards consolidating votes opposed to the BJP.
“Every vote that wants to defeat the BJP must count. We will work with all seriousness to ensure that the anti-BJP vote is consolidated and that the BJP is removed from power in 2027,” he said.
Seats Next, Strategy Later
Chodankar said the finer details of the electoral understanding, including seat-sharing and organisational arrangements, would be discussed in the coming days.
“There will be further discussions and negotiations. We will approach every issue with maturity and flexibility. The only red line is Goa’s interest. Our priority is to unite, fight and win for Goa,” he said.
The Congress delegation comprised Chodankar, Alemao, Working President M.K. Shaikh and South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes.
The RGP delegation included Borkar, Shavina S. Naik Shirodkar and Alliance Coordination Committee Chairman Amol Navelkar, along with members of the respective alliance committees.
The two parties will hold further discussions to work out a concrete electoral framework ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Chodankar said the objective was to prevent another division of the anti-BJP vote.
“2027 will be a fight to save Goa. We will unite the anti-BJP vote, defeat the BJP and put Goa’s interests first,” he said.
