Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jul 5: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has courted controversy after reacting sharply to a journalist's question on the newly launched Goa Congress Party, directing his response at the reporter instead of addressing the issue.

During an interaction with the media, Sawant interrupted the journalist before the question was completed and asked, "What is my connection? Have you gone mad?"

The question was asked in the context of allegations made earlier by Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar, who claimed that the BJP had set aside Rs 100 crore to facilitate the formation of a new political party in Salcete to split opposition votes ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Following Chodankar's allegations, a new political outfit named the Goa Congress Party announced its formation in Salcete, fuelling speculation over its political objectives and the circumstances surrounding its launch.

The BJP has not officially responded to the Congress' allegation that it is backing the newly floated party to divide opposition votes before the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.