Congress leaders allege AAP-GFP alliance benefits BJP in Goa

Congress leaders in Goa have criticized the newly formed ‘Goa First’ alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Goa Forward Party (GFP), alleging it is a strategic move to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Congress MP Viriato Fernandes claimed there is a tacit understanding between AAP and the BJP, suggesting a deal where the BJP would focus on Punjab in exchange for AAP splitting anti-BJP votes in Goa. Fernandes argued that if AAP were truly opposed to the BJP, it would have joined forces with the Congress, the principal opposition party in the state.

In response to the alliance, All India Congress Committee Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare stated that the Congress remains open to alliance talks with opposition parties to ensure a united front against the BJP. Thakare emphasized that the party aims to respect the public sentiment for a unified opposition, though he noted that any party playing a role in assisting the BJP would be judged by the voters.