In a significant political realignment, the Indian National Congress and the Goa Forward Party (GFP) have decided to join forces once again for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat elections in Goa. This move marks a reunion of the alliance partners who contested the 2022 state assembly polls together, signaling a fresh attempt to mount a credible opposition against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
A Strategic Alliance for Political Recovery
Both parties view this electoral pact as the potential starting point for their political recovery in the coastal state. The alliance comes after broader opposition unity talks, which aimed to include the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Revolutionary Goans, failed to materialize. However, the Congress and GFP successfully negotiated a seat-sharing arrangement for the local body polls.
GFP chief Vijai Sardesai outlined the common platform of the alliance. He stated that they are fighting the election unitedly to restore Goa's identity, positioning themselves against the BJP, which he labeled a "party of corruption." Sardesai emphasized their stand against coal pollution and commitment to preserving Goa's social fabric and secular values. He framed the Zilla Panchayat election as a "semi-final" before the assembly polls and urged voters to give the alliance an opportunity to "win the final."
High Stakes in the Salcete Battleground
The electoral battle holds immense significance for both partners. For the Congress, it is a desperate attempt to reclaim its lost bastion, particularly in the Salcete taluka. Historically a Congress stronghold, the party managed to win only three of the nine seats in the 2020 Zilla Panchayat polls—Velim, Curtorim, and Nuvem. Its position further weakened when eight Congress MLAs defected to the BJP within a year of the 2022 assembly elections. Encouraged by a better performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress is now contesting eight of the nine seats in Salcete, leaving the Raia constituency for its ally GFP.
Leader of the Opposition, Yuri Alemao, launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, citing issues like the cash-for-jobs scam, illegal conversions, land grab scandals, rising unemployment, and increasing crime rates. He called upon Goans to rise against the government and support the Congress-GFP combine.
For the regional GFP, a strong performance is crucial to reinvigorate the party ahead of the 2027 assembly elections. Political observers note that an improved showing could breathe new life into the outfit, while a poor result might further diminish its prospects.
A Complex Three-Way Contest in Salcete
The real drama is unfolding in the Catholic-dominated Salcete taluka, where a fierce three-cornered contest is taking shape. A total of 42 candidates are competing for nine Zilla Panchayat seats in Raia, Nuvem, Colva, Benaulim, Davorlim, Velim, Curtorim, Guirdolim, and Navelim.
The Congress-GFP alliance faces a formidable challenge not just from the BJP but from AAP and a host of independents. The BJP, aware of its limited appeal in the region, is contesting only three seats and is reportedly supporting independent candidates in others. The Aam Aadmi Party, riding on the strength of its two sitting MLAs from Velim and Benaulim, is expected to put up a tough fight in the coastal segments, potentially splitting the anti-BJP vote.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Goans party is testing the waters in just four seats. This fragmentation ensures that opposition votes will be divided in many constituencies, complicating the electoral arithmetic for the Congress-GFP combine.
As one political observer remarked, the Zilla Panchayat election serves as a litmus test for Congress and GFP. A modest improvement could boost the morale of their cadre, but a poor showing could further erode their standing with the next assembly elections just around the corner. The outcome in Salcete will be a key indicator of whether the reunited alliance can pose a serious challenge to the BJP's dominance in Goa.
