New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) Even after a day of the three Assembly re‑election results being declared, analyses continue over the outcome, especially on Bihar’s Bankipur seat, and possible effects on upcoming polls.
While the mandate appears largely against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) with a 2‑1 verdict, Bihar has mirrored the split and ebb among Opposition ranks, argue some analysts. This comes after the 2025 state elections that struck a blow to the Mahagathbandhan, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) losing half the seats compared to 2020.
Anticipation was already building before the final repoll results were out Monday, with Uttar Pradesh and Goa among the major state elections slated in early 2027 where a prospective pre‑poll alliance may challenge the BJP.
In Uttar Pradesh, indications point to another possible alliance with the Samajwadi Party (SP). In Goa, the Congress, stung by its inability to form a government despite winning the largest vote share in 2017 and sliding further in 2022, is preparing more aggressively.
In 2017, Congress won 17 of Goa’s 40 Assembly seats, emerging as the single‑largest party, but the BJP swiftly stitched alliances with smaller parties and independents to form the government. In 2022, Congress secured 11 seats with nearly 26 per cent vote share, but defections weakened its position. The BJP, with 20 seats, consolidated power by inducting eight Congress MLAs later.
The 2022 election also saw the entry of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Trinamool Congress, which allied with regional parties in separate coalitions, fragmenting Opposition votes.
Congress has now set up a structured “alliance committee”, revamped its state leadership and begun talks with regional parties like the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and even AAP to avoid being outmanoeuvred again. The official announcement of the Goa Alliance Committee came on Monday, two days after state Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar confirmed his meeting with GFP chief Vijai Sardesai on a possible pre‑poll alliance.
Reports suggest AAP is showing an inclination for a tie‑up, despite its leader Arvind Kejriwal having withdrawn from the INDIA bloc. It is expected to position itself as a crucial player in the upcoming election, signalling readiness to ally with Congress and GFP to prevent vote fragmentation and challenge the BJP’s dominance.
AAP made modest gains but failed to dent BJP’s vote share in 2022, and its poor performance in the 2025 zilla panchayat elections prompted leadership changes. The party has now authorised a three‑member team to negotiate terms, emphasising stability and avoiding leadership tussles.
Congress leadership has replaced Amit Patkar with Girish Chodankar as state party chief, signalling a return to experienced leadership. Three working presidents were also appointed to balance factions. Separate committees for campaign, manifesto and coordination have been set up.
Considering the 2022 defections, Congress is working on binding agreements with candidates and stricter internal discipline to prevent MLAs from switching sides post‑election.
Meanwhile, the BJP is targeting victories in 30 seats outright in 2027, relying on its round‑the‑clock poll readiness and unconventional but effective strategies.
–IANS
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