AAP Alleges Bid to Break Goa First Alliance, Challenges GFP to Pick a Side

The Goa First alliance has come under fresh political pressure after the Aam Aadmi Party alleged an attempt to break the non-Congress, non-BJP front ahead of the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.

AAP Goa president Valmiki Naik made the allegation at a press conference alongside party MLAs Cruz Silva and Venzy Viegas. He challenged Goa Forward Party leader Vijai Sardesai to clarify whether he stood with the alliance or what AAP described as a “Congress-BJP joint venture.”

The Goa First alliance was announced on September 13 and includes AAP and the Vijai Sardesai-led Goa Forward Party. The front has positioned itself as an alternative to both the Congress and BJP.

Advertisement

Vijai Sardesai asked to clarify stand

Naik claimed that political defections have repeatedly affected Goa politics and accused both Congress and BJP of contributing to the trend.

He said Goa First remains open to other political parties, provided they are not part of Congress or BJP. According to AAP, the alliance aims to bring together parties opposing corruption and political defections.

Sardesai had earlier said Goa First was open to political realignment and could work with other like-minded parties seeking to defeat the BJP. He had also clarified that the GFP did not consider the alliance strictly anti-Congress.

The GFP leader was not immediately available for a response to AAP's latest allegations.

Alliance faces test before 2027 polls

The political stakes are significant in Goa's 40-member Assembly. AAP currently has two MLAs, while GFP has one. GFP had previously allied with Congress during the 2022 Assembly elections.

AAP also alleged that Congress could face another round of defections and questioned the political significance of Girish Chodankar's return as Goa Congress chief.

With the 2027 elections approaching, the dispute highlights the challenge of maintaining a united third front in Goa's traditionally fluid political landscape.