Panaji: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will contest the upcoming zilla parishad, municipal, and 2027 Goa assembly elections independently, ruling out any alliance with the Congress, senior party leader Atishi announced on Monday. She emphasized that Congress legislators cannot be trusted due to their frequent defections to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Atishi made these remarks while inaugurating a new party office in South Goa. She underscored that AAP’s independent approach reflects its commitment to providing a credible alternative to the people of Goa.
AAP to Contest All Goa Elections Independently
Addressing party workers, Atishi asserted that the party is preparing to contest the zilla parishad and municipal elections on its own strength. She confirmed that AAP would not form alliances for any upcoming elections in Goa.
“We are preparing to fight solo in the upcoming zilla parishad elections, municipal elections, and the 2027 assembly elections. AAP will contest all three on its own,” Atishi stated. She further highlighted the party’s confidence in its ability to deliver results without relying on electoral pacts.
Congress Cannot Be Trusted, Says Atishi
Criticizing the Congress for its track record of defections, Atishi questioned the party’s reliability as a coalition partner. She cited the 2022 Goa assembly elections, where 11 Congress MLAs were elected but eight subsequently joined the BJP.
“It is very clear that Congress cannot be trusted. In 2022, 11 Congress MLAs won. Out of them, eight joined the BJP, leaving only three. This is not the first instance; a similar situation occurred previously. How can we trust Congress when their MLAs consistently defect to the BJP?” she asked.
Atishi contrasted this with AAP’s stability, noting that its MLAs in Goa remained loyal despite widespread predictions that they would defect.
“Our MLAs in Goa have achieved what has never been done before. Despite being a small party, our legislators stayed with us. They did not join other parties because they are here to work for the people, not for power or money,” she added.
AAP’s Commitment to Goa’s People
Atishi reaffirmed AAP’s dedication to serving the people of Goa. She expressed confidence that the party’s grassroots efforts would yield stronger electoral performance in future polls.
“AAP has stood by the people of Goa. We are preparing for 2027, and I am hopeful that our performance will improve. I trust the people of Goa will help us win more seats,” she said.
Her remarks signal AAP’s strategic shift toward building its independent political identity in Goa after previous alliances with the Congress.
Congress-AAP Alliance History in Goa
The Congress and AAP previously collaborated during the Goa Lok Sabha elections. Their joint candidate, Capt. Viriato Fernandes of Congress, won the South Goa seat. In a subsequent zilla parishad by-election, the Congress withdrew its candidate, facilitating AAP’s victory.
However, following AAP’s defeat in the February 2025 Delhi assembly elections, the party’s Goa leadership reconsidered its stance on alliances.
Amit Palekar: “People Want an Alliance”
In February, AAP’s Goa president Amit Palekar had expressed support for a coalition to prevent a split in the anti-BJP vote. He argued that a fragmented opposition would only benefit the ruling party.
“It is easy to reject an alliance. But during the Lok Sabha elections, we withdrew our declared candidates to support the Congress.
“We are not begging for an alliance. We are capable of contesting elections independently. However, the people of Goa want an alliance to defeat the corrupt BJP. Without a united opposition, the BJP’s 32% vote share will prevail,” he warned.
