In a candid conversation with Goemkarponn Editor Suraj Nandrekar, former Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar opens up about rumours of his comeback, the turmoil within the state Congress, and the road ahead for the party. Speaking with conviction, Chodankar dismisses talk of factionalism, blames defections on “moral betrayal,” and insists that the Congress remains Goa’s only credible alternative to the BJP. He also hits out at AAP’s “vote-dividing politics” and calls for a united opposition to protect Goa’s identity, land, and people.
Excerpts:
Suraj: Girishbab, at the outset, could you please tell us about the rumours of your returning as the president of the Goa Congress?
Girish: The decision will be taken by the party’s high command. For now, I am focusing on the work assigned to me in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The organisation there is preparing for elections, and my attention is on strengthening the Congress machinery in those states. Whatever decision the party takes for Goa, I will fully accept it.
Suraj: Is there going to be a change of guard in Goa, and the reason for the same?
Girish: Any organisational changes are made by the Congress President, the General Secretary (Organisation), and other senior leaders like Venugopalji and Khargeji. Discussions happen at that level. The focus is always on strengthening the party by giving representation to OBC, SC, and tribal leaders — communities that Rahul Gandhi wants to empower.
Suraj: As the former president of GPCC and an active member of AICC, do you see the current committee in Goa lacking focus?
Girish: The Congress in Goa has always been a cadre-based party built over years of hard work. However, after defections and internal rifts, rebuilding is essential. Some coordination issues may exist, but that doesn’t mean the organisation is directionless. We need to unite all loyal workers under one banner to take on the BJP effectively.
Suraj: Regional parties like Goa Forward, RGP, and even AAP are taking the government head-on, while the Congress is firefighting its own internal issues.
Girish: Congress remains the main opposition. Our work may not always be visible because much of it happens at the grassroots. While others may hold press conferences, our teams are protesting, collecting evidence of corruption, and engaging people directly. The BJP’s corruption — from the job scam to land conversions — is being systematically exposed by us.
Suraj: How do you look at allegations that Girish Chodankar is creating a rival faction to Amit Patkar and Yuri Alemao within the Goa Congress?
Girish: That’s absolutely false. I have spent over 25 years building this party brick by brick. My only goal is to strengthen Congress, not divide it. There is no “Girish faction.” I always tell workers: the post doesn’t matter, the party does. Congress is a workers’ movement, not a personality cult.
Suraj: There are accusations that President Amit Patkar and LoP Yuri Alemao are hand in glove with the BJP government. What’s your view?
Girish: These are minor misunderstandings exaggerated by opponents. Differences in approach shouldn’t be mistaken for compromise. We are all fighting the BJP, not each other. Sometimes communication gaps happen, but those are sorted out. I have full faith in the Congress high command to evaluate performance and take appropriate decisions.
Suraj: Is there going to be a Mahagathbandhan (grand alliance) in Goa, or will the BJP have a cakewalk again?
Girish: Goans want unity among opposition forces. Congress is open to alliances if they serve the larger purpose of defeating the BJP. However, alliances must be based on mutual trust, not opportunism. The BJP manipulates smaller parties to divide votes. If we stay united — with like-minded parties like
Goa Forward — we can win over 20 seats easily.
Q8: Your reaction to Arvind Kejriwal’s comments on the Congress-BJP alliance government?
Girish l: Kejriwal’s statements are politically motivated. Across India, only Rahul Gandhi is consistently challenging Modi and the BJP. Kejriwal talks of fighting BJP but ends up helping them by dividing votes. Look at Delhi and Haryana — AAP breaks alliances when it suits them. The liquor scam exposed AAP’s double standards. Goans can see through such politics.
Q9: How is your relationship with Goa Forward’s Vijai Sardesai?
Girish: We share a common goal — to protect Goa’s identity, land, and people. Goa Forward and Congress have worked together before, and we continue to maintain mutual respect. Political differences can exist, but the larger objective is to safeguard Goa from corruption and destruction under the BJP.
Q10: You were GPCC president when 10 MLAs defected to BJP in 2019 and when 8 defected again in 2022. How do you look at it now?
Girish: Defections were deeply painful. We worked hard to win those seats, only to see betrayal by a few leaders. Still, we took the fight to court and filed disqualification petitions, which are now before the Supreme Court. I accept responsibility as the leader then, but defections are a moral failure of individuals, not the organisation. The workers stood firm, and that’s why Congress survives.
Suraj: If you are appointed President of GPCC again, how will you seek votes from Goans, given that your MLAs have defected?
Girish: I will go to the people with honesty. Yes, our MLAs defected, but the Congress worker did not. The real Congress is the one that stands with Goans — protecting land, jobs, and identity. We will rebuild leadership from the ground up with loyal, young, and clean faces. Goans know who betrayed them and who stood by them.
Suraj Nandrekar: Thank you, Girishbab, for your time and candid answers.
Girish Chodankar: Thank you, Suraj. I always value the voice of Goans and the media that represents them. Goa deserves better, and together, we will make it happen.
