Margao: Congress president Girish Chodankar on Wednesday said the party will make “all sorts of attempts” to stitch together a united opposition alliance against the ruling BJP ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, adding that fresh efforts will be made to bring the Goa Forward Party (GFP) on board.“Goans want a united opposition alliance, we will try to fulfil this sentiment,” Chodankar told reporters. He said that he has already established contacts with RG and AAP, and talks will begin at the convenience of the leaders of those two outfits.On talks with GFP, Chodankar said Congress had “respected” GFP’s decision to keep alliance talks on hold, but expressed confidence that the regional outfit would eventually reconsider its position. “We believe that they will soon review their decision and initiate talks with us. Once they review their decision, we will start talks with them,” he said.The Congress chief revealed that back-channel efforts were already underway to break the impasse. “I have also spoken to some of the GFP members on the issue, in the hope of starting the talks at the earliest,” Chodankar said.Chodankar’s remarks come against the backdrop of a prolonged and often contentious effort within Goa’s opposition camp to present a united front against the BJP, even as Congress grapples with internal dissent following Chodankar’s return as GPCC president, replacing Amit Patkar. While the recent bonhomie between Patkar and GFP chief Vijai Sardesai has led to speculations in political circles, Chodankar sought to dismiss it saying GFP remains an ally of the Congress.The push for opposition unity has also found an echo in civil society with groups pressing for a united opposition. However, GFP’s own reluctance to commit to talks has added to the uncertainty over the shape any pre-poll alliance might eventually take.
