Team Goemkarponn
MARGAO: Goa BJP President Damu Naik claimed that the Congress and other Opposition parties had already resigned themselves to defeat in the 2027 Assembly elections and were now attempting to influence public perception by linking the BJP to a proposed political outfit based in Salcete.
Speaking to reporters, Naik dismissed allegations that the BJP was backing the new party and said the ruling party was confident of returning to power on the strength of its organisation and governance record.
He said the BJP’s electoral prospects were rooted in its extensive grassroots network and the development initiatives undertaken by the BJP governments in Goa and at the Centre, leaving no need to depend on any new political formation.
Naik observed that the emergence of new regional parties before Assembly elections was a recurring feature of Goa’s political landscape. Referring to previous elections, he noted that parties such as the United Goans Democratic Party, Save Goa Front, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had all entered the fray at different points. While some managed to attract public attention initially, others failed to establish a lasting electoral presence, he said.
According to Naik, the BJP remains unfazed by the entry of new players into the political arena. He pointed to the party’s nationwide organisational structure, claiming it has around 14 crore members, including nearly two crore active workers, and said the growing number of aspirants seeking BJP tickets reflected the party’s popularity.
On speculation over candidates for the 2027 Assembly elections, Naik said it was too early to discuss individual names as the selection process had not yet begun. Responding to a query about Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar’s candidature, he said the party would take an appropriate decision when the time came.
Addressing the issue of political reservation for Scheduled Tribes, Naik said the BJP remained committed to fulfilling its promise. He stated that the Pramod Sawant-led government had repeatedly approached the Centre through official delegations to expedite the process of providing political reservation to the ST community in Goa.
