The top leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Goa confirmed that in the event of a hung verdict, which they expect, they are likely to back the Congress.

AAP’s CM candidate

Amit Palekar told The Telegraph, “We expect anything between 3 and 11 seats. We are aware of the fact that there will be a fractured mandate and no one is going to get a majority. We are open to any alliance to form a non-BJP government.”

When asked about possible alliances, he replied, “We will not go with the BJP... The local leadership of the Congress is in touch. We have not given any commitment to anybody.”

AAP’s Goa convener Rahul Mhambre confirmed to this paper, “We have made it clear that we are working on an anti-BJP alliance. In politics there are no conditions. It depends on the final number. In 2017 also, the people of Goa voted against the BJP. Exit polls indicate the same this time as well.”

The Congress emerged as the single-largest party in 2017 but lost out to the alliance the BJP stitched with smaller parties and independents. The AAP’s campaign this time was directed at Congress voters asking them to vote for AAP instead of candidates who defect to the BJP.

AAP’s central leadership has kept mum on Goa — which is infamous for defections — due to its experience of multiple splits in its Punjab unit after 2017, which was blamed on micromanagement from Delhi. The Congress is its main opponent in Punjab where exit polls have favoured AAP. In Goa, however, exit polls are inconclusive and even minor gains by AAP and the Trinamul Congress could make them kingmakers.

AAP formed its first 49-day government in Delhi in 2013 with the support of the Congress, but relations have been sour since.

However, AAP unsuccessfully tried to cobble up an alliance in Delhi and Punjab with the Congress during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. This was shot down by former Punjab CM Amarinder Singh, who has since split from the Congress and is now a BJP ally.