Panaji: Ego and self-interest have plunged the opposition parties into an imbroglio, yet politics has neither permanent friends nor permanent enemies — an apt frame for the renewed alliance buzz between Congress and GFP.With the 2027 assembly elections inching closer, political equations are shifting. Old differences are being revisited, and the push for a united opposition has brought Congress and GFP back to the negotiating table, pushing Goa First alliance into the background. What seemed politically unthinkable yesterday could become an electoral necessity tomorrow.Although official talks have not begun during the ongoing Pitru Paksha (16 lunar day Hindu period) — considered an inauspicious period for major political decisions — there is talk in political circles that discussions will start soon after it ends.The latest churn began on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, when GFP and AAP announced a “non-Congress, non-BJP” alliance. However, the arrangement did not last even a fortnight. Internal disputes within GFP forced the party to rethink its strategy, and Congress gained leverage to set the terms of any new negotiations. Within a day, GFP found itself on the back foot, as infighting pushed it towards exploring a fresh arrangement with Congress.A possible Congress–GFP tie-up is less about camaraderie and more about political arithmetic. Congress remains one of the principal opposition forces in Goa, while GFP retains influence and an organisational footprint. Both sides know that contesting against each other — especially in constituencies where the opposition vote is already fragmented — could end up helping BJP, a political observer noted.GFP and AAP have already begun distancing themselves, publicly questioning each other after the alliance unravelled. Hoardings promoting their tie-up have also been pulled down across the state.Even as Congress and GFP have yet to formally open talks, the broad agenda is already taking shape. Within Congress, opinions are divided over whether to pursue a merger of GFP into the party or to settle for an alliance. Some Congress functionaries, including those who have reportedly discussed the matter with central office-bearers, believe a merger would benefit Congress more. They argue it would allow the party to keep tighter control over GFP president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai, rather than dealing with him as an outside ally.A senior Congress functionary said some party members oppose Sardesai joining Congress directly because it could narrow their own chances of becoming chief minister if the party reaches a “magical” majority figure. “Some Congressmen don’t want too many options within Congress if the party touches the majority mark or is in a position to form govt. Sardesai is being opposed for that reason,” the functionary said.Congress, meanwhile, has conveyed to GFP that it should refrain from speaking against the principal opposition party if it wants the alliance discussions to be productive and reach a logical conclusion, a Congress member said.While 2027 may still seem some distance away, parties have already entered full positioning mode. Congress has launched its 27-day ‘Goy Rakhonn Yatra’ (Save Goa Rally), aimed at defeating BJP in the next assembly election.Responding to the speculation, Sardesai said there is a growing public demand for a grand alliance to defeat BJP and “liberate” Goa from BJP govt. He added that no talks have started yet with Congress on whether GFP should merge or ally. Referring to past events, he said, “Last time, Congress MLAs left the party during Pitru Paksha, and you have seen their situation today. I don’t want to take any decision during an inauspicious period.”On another track, Congress has already completed one round of alliance talks with RG, though the two sides have not finalised seat-sharing. RG is seeking around 15 seats, citing strongholds in those constituencies.AAP Goa president Valmiki Naik reiterated on Monday that Goa First alliance was conceived as a “non-Congress, non-BJP” front and that this stance — announced before Ganesh Chaturthi — would not change. He said the alliance was open to other non-Congress, non-BJP parties, but insisted there was “no point in giving a chance to Congress”.Goa’s opposition has repeatedly faced the same dilemma: Pursue separate ambitions while claiming a common objective. A political observer said the 2027 election could again test whether these parties can set aside individual interests for a broader strategy.Cleofato Coutinho, another political observer, argued that GFP had little choice after what he described as public rejection of Goa First experiment, including resistance from within the party. “Sardesai may have thought that Congress would fall to its knees with his tie-up with AAP, but the reverse has happened. The tie-up was a non-starter from the beginning. In fact, all three MLAs had become vulnerable in Salcete,” Coutinho said.
