Party will contest 2027 assembly polls: Kholkar
Panaji: In a major political development, Manoj Parab on Thursday announced his resignation as president and founder member of Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), while also declaring his retirement from active politics.
He made the announcement during a press conference held at the party headquarters in Panaji, alongside senior party leaders including general secretary Vishwesh Naik and treasurer Ajay Kholkar.
Later, in the evening, the RGP said that the resignation submitted by Parab has been accepted, while asserting that the regional outfit will continue to function and contest the upcoming Goa legislative assembly elections.
Speaking at a press conference following a meeting of the RGP’s central executive committee, Kholkar said the party remains strong despite the recent developments and internal differences within the organisation. He said that the RGP has an established organisational structure and will continue its political activities across the state.
Kholkar said the party constitution clearly lays down the procedure for electing a new president and assured that the process would be initiated at the appropriate time. “The party will move ahead according to the constitution and organisational procedures,” he said.
He also said that the party leadership is currently waiting for communication from their St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar to schedule a meeting amid the ongoing developments.
Parab’s resignation comes amid ongoing internal differences within the party, which recently witnessed visible cracks between senior leadership and its lone MLA Borkar. Parab admitted that he failed to control the party and take timely decisions during the ongoing rift.
The RGP was founded by Parab as a socio-political movement before transitioning it into a recognised political party in 2022.
The party emerged as a strong regional force advocating for Goan identity, land protection and local employment rights. It gained statewide attention during the 2022 Goa assembly elections, where it secured one seat in the legislative assembly.
In his resignation letter, Parab stated that the movement, which began nine years ago with a dream to fight for Goa and “Goenkars”, had degenerated into “dirty politics,” leaving him deeply hurt and emotionally shattered. He added that internal conflicts and individual power struggles within the party had broken him from within.
“As party president, maybe I failed to take necessary actions at the right time. But I proudly say that I gave my best to create leaders who can challenge the system and fight for Goa fearlessly,” he said.
Parab also referred to a recent meeting held in Margao by a section of the party members, alleging it was aimed at fracturing the party. He described these developments as painful after dedicating nine years of sacrifice, struggle and emotion to the movement.
Concluding his statement, he thanked the party workers, supporters and Goans who stood by him throughout his journey, and apologised to anyone he may have hurt during the past nine years.
Expressing confidence in the future of the party, Kholkar said that Parab has created several leaders who are entirely capable of taking the party forward. He added that party workers and office bearers remain fully committed to strengthening the regional political outfit ahead of the next assembly elections in Goa.
