Panaji: Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) has decided not to contest the Ponda byelection and support Congress candidate Ketan Bhatikar. RGP president Manoj Parab said that even though Congress leadership has refused to initiate any alliance talks, the RGP decided to show maturity to ease the way towards a Congress alliance.“The party central election committee (CEC) decided not to put up a candidate for the Ponda bypoll because we intend that the BJP should not win,” said Parab.Parab said that AAP had approached them for support in Ponda.“In 2027, we hope to have a large alliance with Congress and AAP. Congress has the second-largest vote share in the state, and that is why we decided to support Congress for this bypoll,” said Parab. He also said that the RGP will not sacrifice seats in future elections to favour Congress.“The major opposition party would have initiated talks for an alliance for Ponda. If Congress wants to defeat BJP, does it think that it can win without the RG?” said Parab.RGP MLA Viresh Borkar said that a committee will be formed to discuss alliances for the 2027 elections. The committee will hold talks with other parties after the Ponda bypoll within a set deadline.“We will not wait until the last minute. Congress needs to stop being lazy and finalise things in the next two months,” said Borkar.
