AAP-GFP Alliance for Goa Polls a Tacit Understanding with BJP: Congress

The Congress on Tuesday accused the newly announced alliance between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Goa Forward Party (GFP) of being a tacit understanding with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar alleged that the alliance could indirectly benefit the BJP in Goa while providing political advantages to AAP in Punjab. He described the arrangement as an “exchange offer” involving the two parties and the BJP.

AAP and GFP Announce ‘Goa First’ Alliance

AAP and GFP recently announced their “Goa First” alliance ahead of the 2027 state Assembly elections.

The alliance has been presented as a non-BJP, non-Congress political alternative for voters in Goa. The two parties have also emphasised the need for “defections-free” politics, referring to the history of elected representatives switching parties after elections.

The partnership brings together AAP, which currently has two Assembly seats, and GFP, which holds one seat in the 40-member Goa Assembly.

Congress Alleges an ‘Exchange Offer’

Chodankar alleged that the AAP-GFP alliance was not genuinely aimed at defeating the BJP.

According to his claim, the arrangement could involve the BJP helping AAP in Punjab while AAP supports the BJP in Goa. Congress has therefore characterised the alliance as an “exchange offer” between political interests in different states.

These allegations have been made by Congress and have not been established as a formal agreement between AAP, GFP and the BJP.

Congress Wants a Broader Opposition Alliance

The Goa Congress leadership said the new alliance goes against what it believes is the demand for a broader opposition front against the BJP.

Chodankar claimed that voters who want to challenge the BJP would prefer opposition parties to work together rather than contest separately.

He also predicted that voters would reject the AAP-GFP alliance in the 2027 elections.

AAP and GFP Position Themselves Against BJP and Congress

AAP and GFP have positioned their new alliance as an alternative to both the BJP and Congress.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has criticised both traditional political formations and argued that “Goa First” should focus on public interests. The alliance has also highlighted the issue of political defections as one of its central campaign themes.

The GFP, led by Vijai Sardesai, has previously been associated with the BJP-led alliance but subsequently separated from the BJP.

Goa's Political Numbers

The 2022 Goa Assembly election produced a fragmented political landscape.

The BJP emerged as the single-largest party with 20 seats in the 40-member Assembly. Congress won 11 seats, while AAP secured two and GFP one. Other seats went to the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party, Revolutionary Goans Party and Independents.

The political situation changed further after eight Congress MLAs, led by former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, joined the BJP in September 2022. This increased the BJP's strength in the Assembly to 28 at that time.

2027 Goa Elections Set for a Multi-Cornered Contest

The AAP-GFP alliance could make the 2027 Goa Assembly election more competitive by creating another political bloc alongside the BJP and Congress.

With AAP and GFP seeking to consolidate anti-BJP votes outside the Congress fold, the distribution of opposition votes could become a major factor in several constituencies.

The Congress, meanwhile, is expected to focus on presenting itself as the principal challenger to the BJP.

Political Battle Intensifies Ahead of 2027

The latest accusations mark an early escalation in Goa's political contest ahead of the 2027 elections.

While Congress has questioned the motives behind the AAP-GFP partnership, the alliance has maintained that its objective is to provide voters with a credible alternative and prevent post-election defections.

The coming months are likely to see further negotiations, alliances and political positioning as parties prepare for the Goa Assembly polls.