Team Goemkarponn
FATORDA: Calling the Opposition alliance’s performance in the Zilla Panchayat elections a mere “trailer,” Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai on Sunday said the real test will come in the 2027 Assembly elections, provided the Opposition goes to the polls with clear strategy and coordination.
Sardesai dismissed claims that the Goa Forward Party had pulled off any political feat in Raia or Davorlim, saying the party’s role was limited to channelising widespread public anger against the BJP. He said voters in both constituencies had rejected what he described as the BJP’s long-used policy of division during elections.
He said that if the Opposition alliance forms the government in 2027, it would make a serious push to empower Zilla Panchayats by devolving more powers and responsibilities. As part of this plan, he said the Rural Development Agency (RDA) department could be brought under the control of the Zilla Panchayat bodies.
Declining to comment on the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) and its leader Manoj Parab, Sardesai said he did not wish to respond to “pranks.” He also apologised to the people of Fatorda for having earlier aligned with the RGP leadership in the constituency.
Admitting flaws in the Congress–Goa Forward alliance, Sardesai said the alliance failed to effectively percolate down to the Congress grassroots, resulting in opposition from Congress workers to Goa Forward candidates in several ZP constituencies.
Despite these challenges, he said the Congress–Goa Forward combine had made a promising start in the Zilla Panchayat polls. He added that the Goa Forward Party would contest the upcoming Margao Municipal Council elections with full seriousness and preparation.
