Panaji: Days after initiating alliance talks with the Congress for the upcoming Goa polls, the Goa Forward Party (GFP) on Wednesday paused the negotiations, claiming that it wants to concentrate on all 40 Assembly constituencies.
The Political Affairs Committee of the Goa Forward Party met in Panaji on Wednesday to discuss a possible alliance with the Congress party for the upcoming Goa Legislative Assembly elections.
The elections for the 40-seat Goa Legislative Assembly are due before March 2027. GFP President Vijai Sardesai had met Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar last week, initiating discussions on a possible alliance.
Addressing mediapersons in Panaji on Wednesday, GFP General Secretary Mohandas Lolienkar said that the Political Affairs Committee had resolved that the alliance talks with the Congress should be “suspended for the time being.”
He said that while a lot of time was being wasted waiting for the alliance, the party was unable to focus on strengthening its position in various constituencies.
“We want to focus on all 40 Assembly constituencies. We will be fighting the BJP Government on the streets now. We are not waiting for anyone,” Lolienkar said.
The GFP leader indicated that the suspension of alliance talks was only a temporary pause. “We can start the talks anytime,” he said. However, when asked about a timeframe, he added, “The talks can start tomorrow, a week later, a month later, or anytime.”
Reacting to the decision, GPCC President Girish Chodankar said that, in the interest of Goa and its people, all like-minded parties should come together to defeat the BJP.
He said that the decision taken by the GFP was its internal matter.
He added that the Congress would continue working to bring opposition parties together for the welfare of Goa.
