By Rupesh Samant
Panaji: The challenge is already here. The battle lines will be drawn soon. While the BJP is ready with its election plan, the biggest challenge for the party will be the number of aspirants in every Assembly constituency. No one in any constituency is entirely secure in the BJP. In constituencies like Mandrem, BJP stalwarts may have to face a challenge from sitting MLA Jit Arolkar, who has signalled his intention to join the party. This could make two senior leaders, Laxmikant Parsekar and Dayanand Sopte, feel insecure.
On the other hand, the Congress party has been slow-paced in its election preparations. There have been some recent inductions into the party, including Amit Palekar, but the real test will come when tickets are announced. The task is difficult for the Congress, especially as it remains unclear whether it will proceed with alliances with parties like the Goa Forward Party or the RGP.
AAP is still struggling to make a comeback in the state. However, the party organisation has ensured that its activities continue. The Ponda by-election was a good opportunity for AAP to gain a sizeable vote share, even if it did not win. But the cancellation of the election has left the party stunned. Apart from its two MLAs, the party lacks a strong leader who can help secure a third seat.
The Goa Forward Party has been in and out of the idea of being an ally of the Congress. Vijai Sardesai has twice attempted to initiate alliance talks for the 2027 elections—once during Narakasur celebrations and again during Carnival. The players on both occasions were different, but his efforts appear to have gone nowhere from an Assembly election perspective. Even for the Zilla Panchayat polls, the alliance existed largely in name, as admitted by Vijai Sardesai.
The Revolutionary Goans Party has not yet announced whether it will join an alliance. However, there are indications that it may go solo in this election. Rumours of infighting between Viresh Borkar and Manoj Parab are also circulating. If true, this could deal a setback to the party’s electoral prospects.
