Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 8: Youth leader and social worker from Benaulim Warren Alemao has announced his decision to join the Congress party in the coming days, citing his strong connect with young voters in the constituency.

Alemao said Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar and Youth Congress president Archit Naik had invited him for discussions regarding his entry into the party.

Clarifying that he had not sought an election ticket, Alemao said he would abide by the decision of the party and that his primary objective was to ensure a Congress victory in Benaulim in the upcoming Assembly elections.

"I have not sought a ticket. I will abide by whatever decision the party takes," he said.

Alemao also said he shared a good relationship with the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and its president Vijai Sardesai. However, he clarified that he had never intended to join the GFP and had now decided to associate himself with the Congress.

His proposed entry is expected to strengthen the Congress' outreach among young voters in Benaulim ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

The move could, however, leave the Congress facing a delicate balancing act as it attempts to accommodate competing political interests and aspirations within the constituency.

Former Goa chief minister Churchill Alemao has repeatedly maintained that he and his daughter Valanka Alemao are willing to join the Congress provided the party assures her the Navelim Assembly ticket.

In the absence of such an assurance, Churchill has reiterated that Valanka will contest from Navelim, while he himself could enter the electoral contest from Benaulim.

Congress Benaulim Zilla Panchayat member Luiza Rodrigues has also expressed her willingness to contest the upcoming Assembly election on a Congress ticket.

Warren had earlier expressed his willingness to join the Congress and submitted an application to the party in February. However, the Congress leadership had not taken a decision on his request at the time.

With Warren Alemao now announcing his decision to join the party, the Congress leadership will have to navigate the competing aspirations of potential candidates while seeking to mount a serious challenge in Benaulim, where Venzy Viegas is the sitting MLA.