PANAJI
Even as the Goa Congress grapples with growing dissent over its leadership change, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has signalled that it is unfazed by the developments, reiterating its willingness to forge a pre-poll alliance to take on the BJP in the 2027 Assembly elections.
AAP Goa chief Valmiki Naik said the party is willing to join hands with the Congress and other Opposition forces, but maintained that the initiative for any alliance must come from the Congress, given its status as the senior Opposition party in the state.
"We are open to an alliance with the Congress, irrespective of any differences. Congress, being the senior Opposition party, should take the lead in forging a united front for the 2027 elections. It doesn't matter who is at the head of the Congress. What matters is defeating the BJP in 2027," he said.
Naik argued that the BJP needed to be reduced to single digits in the next Assembly election and said Opposition parties should be prepared to take all necessary steps, including forging an alliance, to achieve that objective.
"Any alliance talks should happen soon and not at the last minute. Congress needs to take the lead in bringing the Opposition together," he said.
Naik said the objective of any alliance should extend beyond merely forming a government and should focus on reversing what he described as the damage caused during the BJP's 15-year rule in Goa.
"We don't just want to form a government through an alliance. We want to change whatever has happened in Goa over the last 15 years under the BJP," he said, proposing that the Opposition formulate a Common Minimum Programme in consultation with citizens before the elections.
"We need to take people into confidence and consult them and ask them what they want the government to do for them over the next five years," he said.
Naik also acknowledged voter concerns about the stability of coalition governments and said confidence-building measures would be essential if an Opposition alliance were to emerge.
"Some confidence and team-building initiatives need to be undertaken to assure people that an alliance government will remain intact for five years," he said.
