Panaji: The Congress on Saturday said it is open to forging an alliance with any political party willing to fight the BJP in the upcoming Goa Assembly elections, provided there is a common programme based on a shared ideology.
Addressing a press conference after a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), AICC Goa Desk In-charge Manikrao Thakrey said the party has authorised GPCC President Girish Chodankar to hold talks with like-minded parties.
“After consultations with everyone, it was decided that we are willing to form alliances with any party that wants to fight against the BJP, provided there is a common programme based on our shared ideology so that we can contest the elections together,” Thakrey said.
He said the GPCC president has been empowered to initiate discussions with such parties and involve other senior leaders, if required, during the negotiations.
Thakrey said the Political Affairs Committee also discussed the party’s election preparedness and decided to expedite organisational strengthening across the state.
He said committees would be constituted at the village, block, district, and state levels to prepare for the polls.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, who heads the party’s election committee, has been entrusted with preparing the Congress’ election strategy and programmes, Thakrey said.
“The message that has emerged from today’s meeting is that whenever the elections are held, the Congress Party must remain fully prepared,” he said.
Thakrey said the party would move swiftly to complete all organisational work required for the elections and would take along everyone committed to strengthening the Congress.
He also attacked the BJP government in Goa, alleging that it had failed to work in the interest of the people.
“We want to assure the people of Goa that the Congress Party stands with them and their concerns. Across Goa, people are saying that this government is not working in the interests of the public. The government has completely failed,” he alleged.
The Congress had fought the 2022 Goa Assembly elections in alliance with the Goa Forward Party. The Congress, which had won 11 seats, was reduced to only three MLAs in the House after eight of them shifted to the BJP soon after the 2022 elections.
