Panaji, Sep 2026 : Youth leader and social worker Warren Alemao from Benaulim has announced that he will join the Congress in the coming days, saying his decision was driven by his connect with young voters in the constituency and his desire to help the party win the seat in the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
Alemao said Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar and Youth Congress president Archit Naik had invited him for discussions on joining the party. He said the talks had paved the way for his formal entry into the Congress.
Making it clear that he had not sought an electoral ticket, Alemao said he would accept whatever decision the party leadership takes. His immediate priority, he said, was to work towards strengthening the Congress organisation and ensuring its victory in Benaulim.
“I have not sought a ticket. I will abide by whatever decision the party takes,” Alemao said.
He also clarified his political equation with the Goa Forward Party (GFP), saying he shared a cordial relationship with its president Vijai Sardesai. However, Alemao said he had never intended to join the GFP and had now decided to associate himself with the Congress.
His proposed induction is expected to give the Congress an additional face to reach out to younger voters in Benaulim. However, his entry could also create a balancing challenge for the party as several leaders and aspirants are already positioning themselves for the forthcoming Assembly election.
Former Goa chief minister Churchill Alemao has repeatedly stated that he and his daughter Valanka Alemao are prepared to join the Congress if the party assures her of a ticket from the Navelim Assembly constituency. In the absence of such an assurance, Churchill has said Valanka would contest from Navelim, while he could consider entering the electoral fray from Benaulim.
The Congress also has another potential aspirant in Benaulim. Party Zilla Panchayat member Luiza Rodrigues has expressed her willingness to contest the Assembly election on a Congress ticket.
Alemao had first indicated his interest in joining the Congress earlier and submitted an application to the party in February. The party leadership, however, had not taken a decision on his request at that time.
With Alemao now confirming his intention to join, the Congress will have to manage the aspirations of multiple potential candidates while preparing for the 2027 polls.
Benaulim is currently represented by Venzy Viegas, making the constituency a key electoral battleground for the Congress as it seeks to strengthen its position in Goa.
