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SUNDAY, 21 JUNE 2026

Political opportunism weakens Goa’s future

JERRY FERNANDES, Saligao
Published Mar 22
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Former three-time elected politician Mickey Pacheco has said that Goans are increasingly frustrated with both the BJP and Congress and are now looking for a credible alternative in Goa. While speaking to some press reporters on Wednesday over the upcoming by-election in Ponda, Pacheco alleged that the Congress has fielded a candidate who had earlier contested the 2017 election under the Goa Suraksha Manch led by Subhash Velingkar, a political platform widely perceived to be ideologically aligned with the RSS, due to which he feels that the said candidate might switch sides after getting elected, raising concerns over trust. Pacheco also said that he is currently in discussions with like-minded individuals, and a final decision regarding the Ponda bypoll is expected within the next two days.
Well, Pacheco is trying to rejuvenate his own political career by doing his own 'blah-blah', behaving like one big political expert and suddenly talking against the Congress and the BJP to misguide Goans in Goa. Why? Didn't the same Pacheco once join hands with the same Congress and the BJP (the political wing of the RSS) to enjoy his own 'achhe din' in Goa?
I don't care what Pacheco says with regard to the upcoming Ponda bypoll election, but the one thing I would definitely like to say is that the Congress, in particular, has indeed gone on to become like one scrapyard, if not a garbage treatment plant recycling rejected, scrapped leaders, and also like a launchpad for many aspiring leaders from other political parties to build their own political careers in Goa. The worst part is that the Congress is seen today recruiting every Tom, Dick and Harry (which includes habitual, legendary defectors-cum-frogs) from other political parties and expecting miracles, if not still dreaming of forming the next government in Goa.
I think that as long as the Congress is run by opportunist, self-centred leaders (which include pro-Maharashtrawadi/BJP collaborators and sympathisers), there seems to be no chance for the party to make a comeback in Goa even in the near future, and that's my personal view/assessment about the future of the Congress party in Goa. It is therefore time to disband the Congress party and form a Goan People's Party comprising not of outside settlers from neighbouring borders or Sawantwadi mamas, but of our own niz-Goenkars (having strong principles and Goan blood running in their veins), if at all we really intend to dislodge the current BJP government in the state in the next assembly elections in Goa.

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