AAP’s ‘Goa First’ Alliance Alleged to Be a Back‑door Deal with BJP, Says Congress MP Viriato Fernandes

On Friday, Congress veteran Captain Viriato Fernandes raised the temperature of Goa’s election drama, suggesting that the AAP‑Goa Forward Party (GFP) coalition, branded “Goa First,” is less about regional aspirations and more about a quiet handshake with the BJP.

Fernandes argued that the BJP, which currently runs the Goa government, is staring at a looming anti‑incumbency wave. “They know they are going to lose,” he told ANI, adding that the party is desperate to keep a foothold in the state.

According to the MP, the so‑called “under‑the‑table” deal goes beyond Goa. He alleged that the BJP has promised AAP a free hand in Punjab if Kejriwal’s outfit helps dilute the anti‑BJP vote in Goa. “You take Punjab, we give you Goa,” Fernandes said, presenting the alleged swap as a simple, almost transactional arrangement.

He further questioned why Kejriwal didn’t join forces with the Congress in Goa, which, in Fernandes’ view, is the principal opposition in both Goa and Punjab. “If he were truly against the BJP, he would have aligned with Congress,” he added, implying that AAP’s strategy is more about dividing the opposition than confronting the ruling party.

Fernandes didn’t stop at Goa. He recalled past moments when AAP, in his eyes, distanced itself from the Congress at crucial junctures – the break‑up talks in Haryana, Kejriwal’s remarks during Rahul Gandhi’s padyatra in Bihar, and other instances that, according to him, hint at an uneasy camaraderie with the BJP.

Switching gears, the MP turned his attention to the newly introduced FCRA Bill. He warned that the legislation could be part of a “bigger conspiracy” targeting NGOs and charitable trusts, many of which are run by minority communities and fill gaps left by the government in education, health, and women’s empowerment. “The bill even threatens to violate Article 300A of the Constitution, which protects private property,” he asserted.

On the naval front, Fernandes, a former Indian Navy officer with 26 years of service, defended the professionalism of India’s armed forces after a reported collision involving INS Kolkata and a Pakistani vessel. He dismissed Pakistan’s claim that the incident happened in its exclusive economic zone, insisting it occurred in international waters and accusing Islamabad of trying to create tension.

Finally, Fernandes welcomed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s decision to back the Congress candidate in the Nandigram by‑election, urging all anti‑BJP forces to unite. “If any party or individual supports Congress, we welcome them,” he said, underscoring his belief that a united front is essential to defeat the BJP.

The allegations and comments have sparked a flurry of reactions across social media, with opponents demanding evidence while supporters of the “Goa First” narrative argue that the alliance simply reflects AAP’s growing ambition beyond Delhi.