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Created page with "{{short description|Political party in India}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}} {{Infobox Indian political party |party_name = Goa Forward Party |logo =..."

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{{short description|Political party in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox Indian political party
|party_name = Goa Forward Party
|logo =
|abbreviation = GFP
|colorcode = {{Goa Forward Party/meta/color}}
|leader = [[Vijai Sardesai]]<ref name="prudentmedia.in">{{cite web|url=http://www.prudentmedia.in/politics/goa-forward-president-vijay-sardesai-for-goemkarponn.html|title=GOA FORWARD PRESIDENT VIJAY SARDESAI FOR GOEMKARPONN|publisher=prudentmedia.in}}</ref>
|president = [[Vijai Sardesai]]<ref name="prudentmedia.in">{{cite web|url=http://www.prudentmedia.in/politics/goa-forward-president-vijay-sardesai-for-goemkarponn.html|title=GOA FORWARD PRESIDENT VIJAY SARDESAI FOR GOEMKARPONN|publisher=prudentmedia.in}}</ref>
|General Secretary = Mohandas Lolienkar<ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Goa-Forward-alleges-Milind-Naik-involved-in-test-fixing/articleshow/52069837.cms</ref>
|national_convener = [[Vijai Sardesai]]
|founder = Vijai Sardesai
|Working President = Kiran Kandolkar
|Vice President= Durgadas Kamat
|foundation = {{Start date and years ago|df=yes|2016|01|25}}
|eci = [[List of political parties in India#State|State Party]] ([[Goa]])
|state_seats_name = [[Goa Legislative Assembly]]
|state_seats = {{Composition bar|3|40|hex={{Goa Forward Party/meta/color}}}}
|headquarters =
|publication =
|students =
|youth =
|women =
|peasants =
|ideology = [[Regionalism (politics)|Regionalism]]
|international =
|colours =
|position =
|alliance = [[United Progressive Alliance|UPA]] (2021–Present) <br />[[National Democratic Alliance (India)|NDA]] (2017–2019)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Goa-Forward-takes-a-big-leap-joins-NDA/113890.html|title=Goa Forward takes a big leap, joins NDA}}</ref>
|website = {{URL|goaforward.org/}}
|symbol = [[File:Indian election symbol Coconut.svg|150px]]

}}

'''Goa Forward Party''' ('''GFP''') is a regional political party in the western coastal Indian state of [[Goa]], led by [[Vijai Sardesai]]. The GFP fielded four candidates in the [[2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election|2017 Goa Assembly election]] and won three seats. It played a crucial, if controversial, role in the return of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] to power in the March 2017 election results in Goa.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sequeira|first1=Devika|title=Goa Forward Fast-Forwards BJP Move to Upend State Verdict as Parrikar Reclaims Power|url=https://thewire.in/116107/goa-forward-fast-forwards-bjp-move-subvert-verdict-reclaim-power-goa/|website=thewire.in|publisher=The Wire|access-date=12 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=D'Mello|first1=Pamela|title=Goa election 2017: As BJP stakes claim, anger among supporters of regional party that allied with it|url=https://scroll.in/article/831639/goa-election-2017-as-bjp-stakes-claim-anger-among-supporters-of-regional-party-that-allied-with-it|website=scroll.in|publisher=The Scroll|access-date=12 March 2017}}</ref> The party's motto is "''Goem, Goemkar, Goemkarponn''" (Goa, Goans and Goan ethos).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/parrikar-ready-to-scrap-amendment-derecognising-coconut-palm-vijai/|title=Parrikar ready to scrap amendment derecognising coconut palm: Vijai|work=[[The Navhind Times]]}}</ref> The party was launched on 25 January 2016<ref name="navhindtimes1">{{cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/new-political-party-goa-forward-launched/|title=New political party 'Goa Forward' launched}}</ref> and its symbol is the coconut.<ref>http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/ElectoralLaws/OrdersNotifications/year2017/Letter%20dated%2028.09.16%20Para10B.pdf</ref>

==History==
[[File:Goanetters, at one of the early Goanet meetings in Goa, probably 1998. 03.jpg|thumb|Former party president Prabhakar Timble in 1998]]
The Goa Forward Party was launched on 25 January 2016 with Prabhakar Timble as its President, Dr. Renuka Da Silva as the Vice President and Mohandas Lolienkar as the state secretary of the party under the guidance of then Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai.<ref name="navhindtimes1"/> The party was launched as an alternative to the [[List of political parties in India|national political parties]] and inclusive development while retaining ''Goemkarponn'' (Goan ethos).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goanreporter.com/new-regional-party-goa-forward-launched-in-goa/|title=new regional party GOA FORWARD launched in goa. - Goan Reporter}}</ref> In a press conference held to announce the launching of the party, then President Prabhakar Timble had stated that the party would be ready to ally with any other political parties except the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]. In the initial days of its formation, the Goa Forward Party was a vocal critic<ref>http://www.uniindia.com/goa-forward-to-sensitise-people-on-anti-goan-policies-of-bjp-govt/other/news/649231.html</ref> of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] and its campaign for the [[2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election]] was majorly based on the anti-[[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] plank.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://goastreets.com/goa-forward-vows-to-walk-the-talk/|title='Goa Forward' Vows To Walk the Talk}}</ref> To oust the [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] from power was among the party's main priorities<ref>http://www.goanews.com/blogs_disp.php?bpid=1071</ref> when it was launched.

The first protest by the party along with other opposition parties was held on 27 January 2016 opposing cutting down of coconut trees to make way for the red category<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/villagers-seek-setting-up-of-proposed-sanguem-beer-factory-elsewhere/|title=Villagers seek setting up of proposed Sanguem beer factory elsewhere - The Navhind Times}}</ref><ref>http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Govt-says-cheers-to-red-category-Vani-Agro-beer-factory-/100066.html</ref> beer factory by Vani Agro Farms Private Ltd. at Amdai in [[Sanguem]].<ref>http://www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=6764</ref> The party later organised a protest march in the form of a ''Maad Yatra'' (Coconut tree march) to protest against the Goa Preservation of Trees (Amendment) Act, 2016 which was passed by the [[Goa Legislative Assembly]].<ref name="heraldgoa1">{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Hundreds-turn-up-for-Maad-Yatra/99201.html|title=Hundreds turn up for Maad Yatra}}</ref><ref>http://www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=6905</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/delisting-coconut-from-conservation-act-can-destroy-goa/article8270295.ece|title='Delisting coconut from conservation Act can destroy Goa'|first=Special|last=Correspondent}}</ref>

In April 2021, the GFP left the BJP led [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]]. President Vijai Sardesai cited multiple reasons for leaving the alliance and "alleged that BJP’s only mission in Goa is transportation of coal and handing it over to private company".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Vaktania |first1=Saurabh |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/top-stories/story/goa-forward-party-withdraws-from-bjp-led-national-democratic-alliance-1790640-2021-04-14 |website=India Today |access-date=15 April 2021}}</ref>

==Political leadership==
The Goa Forward Party during its launch contained no popular politicians but since its inception, the party referred to the three independent [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]]s [[Vijai Sardesai]], [[Rohan Khaunte]] and [[Naresh Sawal]] as 'mentors'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prudentmedia.in/politics/3-goa-forward-mentor-mlas-on-led-bulbs-calls-it-a-scam.html|title=3 GOA FORWARD MENTOR MLAs ON LED BULBS ; CALLS IT A SCAM}}</ref> The three [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]]s initially backed the party<ref>http://www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=6756</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldgoa.in/Review/For-Goa-Forward-King-is-Cong/104383.html|title=For Goa Forward, King is Cong?}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldgoa.in/Edit/Editorial/If-we-allow-2017-to-be-about-political-deals-Goa-is-finished/106532.html|title=If we allow 2017 to be about political deals, Goa is finished}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldgoa.in/2017GoaPolls/Our-Verdict-/No-political-party-is-contesting-the-elections-on-Goemkarponn/111125.html|title=No political party is contesting the elections on Goemkarponn}}</ref> while Sardesai and Khaunte participated in the protests<ref name="heraldgoa1"/> organised by the party too.

Many members of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Senior-BJP-members-join-Goa-Forward-Party-in-droves-/106390.html|title=Senior BJP members join Goa Forward Party in droves}}</ref> and the [[Indian National Congress]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Monica-joins-GFP/articleshow/55445297.cms|title=Monica joins Goa Forward Party - Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=18085|title=Congress youth brigade joins Goa Forward party}}</ref> gradually joined the party. While cricketer [[Shadab Jakati]] formally joined<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-cricketer-shadab-jakati-joins-politics-floats-new-party-goa-forward-2237376|title=Cricketer Shadab Jakati makes his political debut, joins Goa Forward party - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=23 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Cricketer-Shadab-Jakati-joins-Goa-Forward/articleshow/53358821.cms|title=Cricketer Shadab Jakati joins Goa Forward - Times of India}}</ref> the party, [[cardiology|cardiologist]] like [[Physician|Dr]]. Francisco Colaco<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goanobserver.in/2016/12/10/vote-goa-forward/|title=WHY VOTE FOR GOA FORWARD|first1=Goan Observer TeamDecember|last1=10|last2=2016|date=10 December 2016}}</ref> campaigned<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goanobserver.in/2016/12/10/dr-colaco-launches-goa-forward-velim-office/|title=DR COLACO LAUNCHES GOA FORWARD VELIM OFFICE|first1=Goan Observer TeamDecember|last1=10|last2=2016|date=10 December 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/831639/goa-election-2017-as-bjp-stakes-claim-anger-among-supporters-of-regional-party-that-allied-with-it|title=Goa's 'legally legitimate but morally illegitimate government': Anger in state as BJP stakes claim|first=Pamela|last=D'Mello}}</ref> for the party.

Subsequently, [[Naresh Sawal]] disassociated himself<ref>http://www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=7459</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/sawal-no-longer-mentor-of-goa-forward-party/|title=Sawal no longer mentor of Goa Forward Party - The Navhind Times}}</ref> from the party, joining the [[Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party|M. G. Party]] and unsuccessfully<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/lobo-likely-to-be-deputy-speaker/articleshow/57781493.cms|title=Lobo likely to be deputy speaker - Times of India}}</ref><ref>https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/North-Goa/MGP-The-lair-is-shrinking-for-the-lion/113385.html</ref> contesting the [[2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election|2017 Assembly elections]] from the [[Bicholim (Goa Assembly constituency)|Bicholim constituency]] as a [[Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party|M. G. Party]] candidate. [[Rohan Khaunte]] successfully<ref>{{cite web|url=http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=31077|title=Rohan Khaunte wins in Porvorim with 7534 votes. He is an independent}}</ref> contested the [[2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election|2017 Assembly elections]] as an independent candidate<ref>http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Did-MoI-issue-force-Khaunte-to-go-solo/110588.html</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Rohan-Khaunte-to-contest-as-independent-in-Porvorim/articleshow/11381778.cms|title=Rohan Khaunte to contest as independent in Porvorim - Times of India}}</ref> from the [[Porvorim (Goa Assembly constituency)|Porvorim constituency]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/khaunte-creates-history-becomes-first-independent-to-retain-seat/articleshow/57600212.cms|title=Rohan Khaunte creates history, becomes first independent to retain seat - Times of India}}</ref> He was supported by the [[Indian National Congress]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/congress-to-contest-on-36-seats-in-goa-leaves-4-for-others-117011801404_1.html|title=Congress to contest on 36 seats in Goa, leaves 4 for others|agency=Press Trust of India|date=18 January 2017|via=Business Standard}}</ref>

[[Vijai Sardesai]] joined the party on 16 January 2017<ref>http://www.prudentmedia.in/politics/its-official-vijai-joins-goa-forward.html</ref> and successfully<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news18.com/news/politics/fatorda-election-results-2017-vijai-sardesai-of-gfwp-wins-1358834.html|title=Fatorda Election Results 2017: Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward Party Wins|date=11 March 2017}}</ref> contested the [[2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election|2017 Assembly elections]] from the [[Fatorda (Goa Assembly constituency)|Fatorda constituency]] as the party's candidate.

==2017 Assembly elections==
The Goa Forward Party initially expressed the need of an alliance to counter the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.india.com/news/india/impossible-to-oust-bjp-in-goa-if-other-parties-dont-tie-up-goa-forward-1212174/|title=Impossible to oust BJP in Goa if other parties don't tie-up: Goa Forward|agency=Press Trust of India|date=25 May 2016}}</ref> but all efforts<ref>http://www.ptinews.com/news/8311215_Cong-locked-in-a-seat-sharing-tussle-with-Goa-Forward.htmll</ref> to forge an alliance between the party and the [[Indian National Congress]] failed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20170119/3037394.html|title=Goa Forward Party accuses Congress of 'backstabbing'}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/nothing-formal-about-congress-goa-forward-party-alliance-vijai-sardesai/articleshow/56576105.cms|title=Nothing formal about Congress-Goa Forward Party alliance: Vijai Sardesai - Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/cong-fails-to-hold-on-to-alliance-with-gfp/articleshow/56710075.cms|title=Congress fails to hold on to alliance with Goa Forward Party - Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://thewire.in/116107/goa-forward-fast-forwards-bjp-move-subvert-verdict-reclaim-power-goa/|title=Goa Forward Fast-Forwards BJP Move to Upend State Verdict as Parrikar Reclaims Power|first=Devika|last=Sequeira}}</ref> [[Vijai Sardesai]] blamed the [[Goa Pradesh Congress Committee]]'s President [[Luizinho Faleiro]] for the failure to form an alliance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/vijai-faleiro-to-blame-for-failed-gfp-cong-alliance/articleshow/56943164.cms|title=Vijai Sardesai: Faleiro to blame for failed GFP-Cong alliance - Times of India}}</ref> The party declared its support<ref>https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/GF-openly-backs-Cipru-to-damage-Luizinho-in-Navelim/111048.html</ref> to the independent candidate Edwin alias Cipru Souza who unsuccessfully contested the [[2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election|2017 Assembly elections]] from the [[Navelim (Goa Assembly constituency)|Navelim constituency]] against [[Luizinho Faleiro]]. The [[Indian National Congress]] accused that the Goa Forward Party was funded by the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/m/details.php?n_id=111149|title=Goa Forward is funded by BJP, says Congress}}</ref>

===Manifesto and agenda in 2017 elections===
In the run-up to the 2017 elections, Goa Forward said its "vision" was a "developed [[Goa]], happy [[Goans]]". It also spelt out what is said was its mission ("empowered Goans"), motto ("''Our Goa, Our Centre, Our Culture''") and objective (to "protect [the] Goan identity").<ref name="Pamphlet">''Goal 2017. Vote for Coconut. Truly Goan Party. Truly Goan Symbol (election Symbol, Saligao Constituency, 2017 Elections)''. Saligao: Goa Forward, 2017. Print. Two page, colour pamphlet of the Goa Forward party, circulated prior to the 2017 elections, in Saligao constituency, seeking the election of Jayesh Salgaonkar, ex-Chairman of the North Goa Zilla Panchayat and Candidate of the Goa Forward for Saligao.</ref>

It listed<ref name="Pamphlet" /> its promises as:
* Setting up of an Employment Promotion Board.
* 80% jobs to local youth.
* Abolish the [[Madhya Pradesh]] Sound Pollution Act and legislate "our" (i.e. one of Goa's) own.
* Affordable pricing of fish, rice, coconut and ''pão'' (local bread).
* Zero-tolerance to the drug trade.
* Free WiFi across Goa.
* To legislate new laws to fulfil the dream of special status for Goa.
* To build Goan partnership in the tourism and mining sectors.
* "Denationalisation" of Goan rivers.

Being a new local party, contesting elections for the first time, the Goa Forward also came up with local, constituency-wise "priorities" of its contestants. For example, in [[Saligao]] [[Deliberative assembly|assembly]] [[constituency]], its candidate [[Jayesh Salgaonkar]] had a list of some 25 one-line "top priorities" ranging from traffic congestion at [[Verem]], employment for local youth in government enterprise and tourism, promoting rural employment for the [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes|SC]]/[[Scheduled Tribes|ST]]/[[OBC List|OBC]] communities, taking the benefits of government schemes to the local underprivileged, guaranteeing assistance to those whose lands are acquired by the government (through employment, market price and support to their occupation), connecting internal areas of Saligao by public transport, etc.<ref name="Pamphlet" />

Other promises made to this constituency include connecting every home to an effective sewerage network; door-to-door garbage collection and making Saligao garbage and plastic free; beautifying open spaces in the constituency; encouraging sports including traditional games and yoga; setting up special day centres for senior citizens; tackling the street-dog "menace" through NGO intervention by scientific methods; a morgue and hearse van facility in the constituency; green hubs with support from the Horticulture Corporation; hawker zones for "inclusive development"; showcasing heritage spaces and houses; a 24x7 helpline for Saligao residents in distress; office with staff to settle citizen grievances; dedicated fish and veg markets in all villages; community halls at "select locations"; gardens and children's parks in all villages with joggers' parks at select locations; development of Coco and Quegdevelim beaches (Nerul); football grounds at Reis Magos, Saligao and Guirim; upgradation of grounds at Sangolda, Pilerne and Nerul; and facilitating water harvesting.<ref name="Pamphlet" />

The party's 24-point programme promised free water to each household, free power for agriculture, free [[WiFi]] access, affordable housing, day-care centres for seniors and children, and fish-coconut-bread at affordable prices. Goa Forward promised to bring the coconut under the [[Goa]] [[Preservation of Trees Act]] and pledged to declare the [[coconut]] as the State Tree.<ref name="Goanews">{{cite web|last1=Goanews Desk|title='Goa Forward' floated, to oust BJP, even by 'sacrificing' own programme|url=http://www.goanews.com/news_disp.php?newsid=6756|website=Goanews.com|publisher=Prabhudesai, Sandesh|access-date=13 March 2017}}</ref> Its party symbol has been the coconut, over which there was a major controversy in [[Goa]] in recent years with the [[BJP]] government making the important local tree easier to be felled under the law.

Goa Forward contested only four of the total forty seats of the [[Goa Legislative Assembly]]. The party's President Prabhakar Timble stated that the party had contested in only four constituencies in order to prevent division of the non-[[Bharatiya Janata Party]] votes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-goa-elections-2017-goa-forward-to-contest-four-seats-to-prevent-division-of-non-bjp-votes-2293758|title=Goa Elections 2017: Goa Forward to contest four seats to prevent division of non-BJP votes - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=18 January 2017}}</ref> The party contested in the [[Fatorda (Goa Assembly constituency)|Fatorda]], [[Velim (Goa Assembly constituency)|Velim]], [[Saligao (Goa Assembly constituency)|Saligao]] and [[Siolim (Goa Assembly constituency)|Siolim]] constituencies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/goa-forward-will-perform-a-miracle-in-polls-timble/|title=Goa Forward will perform a miracle in polls: Timble - The Navhind Times}}</ref> The party emerged victorious in all three constituencies except [[Velim (Goa Assembly constituency)|Velim]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/elections/goa-assembly-elections-2017/goa-election-results-full-list-of-constituencies-and-candidates-winner-list/580852/|title=Goa election results 2017: Full list of constituencies and winning candidates|date=9 March 2017}}</ref> While Jayesh Salgaonkar in [[Saligao (Goa Assembly constituency)|Saligao]] and [[Vinoda Paliencar]] in [[Siolim (Goa Assembly constituency)|Siolim]] defeated the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]]'s political heavyweights<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldgoa.in/Edit/Fly-on-the-wall-/BJP-big-daddies-are-in-a-coast-of-discomfort-in-Pernem-Mandrem-and-Siolim/110993.html|title=BJP big daddies are in a coast of discomfort in Pernem, Mandrem and Siolim}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/news/report/goa-election-manohar-parrikar-sworn-in-as-new-goa-chief-minister/20170314.htm|title=Parrikar makes ghar wapsi as he sworn-in as Goa CM - Rediff.com India News}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-govind-gawade-is-the-tribal-face-of-the-ministry-he-2352759|title=Govind Gawade is the tribal face of the ministry. He - Latest News & Updates at Daily News & Analysis|date=14 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Will-never-join-BJP-Jayesh-Salgaocar/111010.html|title=Will never join BJP: Jayesh Salgaocar}}</ref> [[Dilip Parulekar]] and [[Dayanand Mandrekar]] respectively, [[Vijai Sardesai]] retained his [[Fatorda (Goa Assembly constituency)|Fatorda]] seat.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/assembly-election-result-2017-goa-election-results-2017-full-list-of-winners/1/902824.html|title=Goa election results 2017: Full list of winners}}</ref>

==Government formation==
The results of the [[2017 Goa Legislative Assembly election|2017 Goa Assembly election]] gave rise to a hung assembly since no political party could achieve a complete majority of 21 in the 40 member [[Goa Legislative Assembly]]. The [[Indian National Congress]] emerged the single largest party with 17 seats but ultimately, the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] which emerged victorious in 13 constituencies formed the government with the support of the Goa Forward Party, [[Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party]] and independents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/goa-election-2017-governor-appoints-manohar-parrikar-cm-after-bjp-cobbles-up-coalition-of-smaller-parties-independents-defence-minister-modi-cabinet-reshuffle-3331716.html|title=Goa Election 2017: Manohar Parrikar resigns as defence minister, to be sworn-in as CM at 5 pm Tuesday|date=13 March 2017}}</ref> The Goa Forward Party expressed its support to the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] on the condition that the then [[Minister of Defence (India)|Union Defence Minister of India]] [[Manohar Parrikar]] would return to [[Goa]] as the [[Chief Minister of Goa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2017/03/12/defence-minister-manohar-parrikar-likely-to-return-to-goa-as-chi/|title=Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar Likely To Return To Goa As Chief Minister}}</ref>

Party's supremo<ref>{{cite web|url=http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=28873|title=Cong lays down terms for Fatorda pullout}}</ref> [[Vijai Sardesai]] justified his decision by stating that the Indian National Congress party as well as the [[Goa Pradesh Congress Committee]] President [[Luizinho Faleiro]] had ditched him before.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/831690/congress-has-ditched-me-twice-before-vijai-sardesai-of-goa-forward-explains-why-he-has-backed-bjp|title='Congress has ditched me twice before': Vijai Sardesai of Goa Forward explains why he has backed BJP|first=Pamela|last=D'Mello|work=scroll.in}}</ref> He stated that the BJP in Goa was different<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prudentmedia.in/politics/goa-bjp-little-different-than-national-bjp-vijay-sardesai.html|title=Goa BJP Little Different Than National BJP: Vijay Sardesai|work=prudentmedia.in}}</ref> from that of the national BJP and that the government would work according to a common minimum programme.<ref name="auto1"/> [[Vijai Sardesai]] claimed that he would act as a watchdog of ''Geomkarponn'' (''Goanness'') in the government<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/parrikar-ready-to-scrap-amendment-derecognising-coconut-palm-vijai/|title=Parrikar ready to scrap amendment derecognising coconut palm: Vijai – The Navhind Times|work=navhindtimes.in}}</ref> and that he had supported the BJP-led government for stability and development.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Aligned-with-BJP-for-stability-and-development-Vijai/112643.html|title=Aligned with BJP for stability and development: Vijai|work=heraldgoa.in}}</ref>

The Goa Forward Party President Prabhakar Timble resigned as the President and subsequently as the primary member<ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/prabhakar-timble-resigns-as-member-goa-forward-party/articleshow/57736414.cms|title=Prabhakar Timble resigns as member Goa Forward Party - Times of India}}</ref> of the party after Sardesai and the other two party MLAs accorded their support towards formation of the BJP-led government in Goa.<ref name="heraldgoa.in">{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Timble-resigns-as-GF-chief/112642.html|title=Timble resigns as GF chief|work=heraldgoa.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/gfp-president-prabhakar-timble-resigns/articleshow/57611174.cms|title=GFP president Prabhakar Timble resigns – Times of India|work=indiatimes.com}}</ref> The party and its supremo [[Vijai Sardesai]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goanobserver.in/2017/03/18/vijai-sardesai-blasted-social-media/|title=VIJAI SARDESAI BLASTED IN SOCIAL MEDIA|first1=Tara NarayanMarch|last1=18|last2=2017|date=18 March 2017}}</ref> were heavily criticised for joining the government led by [[Manohar Parrikar]]. At a largely attended protest meet on 18 March 2017 at [[Margao]]'s Lohia Maidan, Sardesai was condemned by many for supporting the [[BJP|Bharatiya Janata Party]] government led by [[Manohar Parrikar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/vijai-draws-severe-criticism-over-support-to-bjp/|title=Vijai draws severe criticism over support to BJP}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Minister-Vijai-faces-protest-meet-1/112882.html|title=Minister Vijai faces protest meet #1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/mlas-who-betrayed-voters-must-resign-lohia-maidan-meet/articleshow/57711359.cms|title=MLAs who betrayed voters must resign: Lohia Maidan meet - Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://englishnews.thegoan.net/story.php?id=31261|title=Vijai in line of fire at Margao meet}}</ref>

On 14 March 2017, the government led by [[Manohar Parrikar]] was sworn in. All three [[Member of the Legislative Assembly (India)|MLA]]s of the party was included in the cabinet. [[Vijai Sardesai]] was given the portfolios of Town & Country Planning and Agriculture.<ref name="navhindtimes.in">{{cite web|url=http://www.navhindtimes.in/vishwajit-gets-health-panchayat-goes-to-mauvin/|title=Vishwajit gets health; panchayat goes to Mauvin - The Navhind Times}}</ref> Jayesh Salgaonkar<ref>https://www.goa.gov.in/ministers/shri-jayesh-salgaonkar/</ref> was allotted the portfolios of Housing and Rural Development Agency, while<ref name="navhindtimes.in"/> Vinoda Paliencar was allotted the Water Resources Department and Fisheries portfolios.<ref name="navhindtimes.in"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/goa-portfolios-announced-gfps-vijai-sardesai-gets-town-country-planning-mgps-sudin-dhavalikar-gets-pwd-manohar-parrikar-cm-home-finance-4577491/|title=Goa portfolios announced: GFP’s Vijai Sardesai gets Town & Country planning, MGP’s Sudin Dhavalikar gets PWD|date=20 March 2017}}</ref>

Post government formation, some office bearers of the Goa Forward Party were also nominated to head some government corporations and institutions. Then party-president Dr. Renuka da Silva was appointed as the Chairperson of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/goa-forward-president-to-head-sgpda/articleshow/59060028.cms</ref> The party's Chief Spokesperson<ref>http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Goa-Forward-backs-MMC-chief-to-end-extortion-racket/104056.html</ref> Prashant Naik was appointed the Chairman of the Ravindra Bhavan at [[Fatorda]].<ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/new-ravindra-bhavan-council-takes-charge/articleshow/59431709.cms</ref> Party's Senior Vice President Monica Dias was appointed the Chairperson of the Goa Khadi and Village Industries Board,<ref>http://digitalgoa.com/monica-dias-appointed-chairperson-of-khadi-board/</ref><ref>http://www.navhindtimes.in/outburst-by-mgp-pays-off-party-gets-khadi-board/</ref> but she could not complete her term as she died on 31 July 2017.<ref>http://www.navhindtimes.in/monica-dias-passes-away/</ref> The Town and Country Planning Board was reconstituted to be headed by [[Vijai Sardesai]] and Goa Forward's Treasurer<ref>https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/congress-eyes-gfp-man-for-vijay-in-rs-poll/articleshow/59519577.cms</ref> Suraj Lotlikar was appointed as a member of the Board.<ref>http://digitalgoa.com/tcp-board-reconstituted/</ref>

==Party leadership==
After Prabhakar Timble's resignation as the President of the party and from the primary membership as well, Vice President Dr. Renuka da Silva was appointed as the President of the party.<ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/renuka-dsilva-is-the-new-president-of-goa-forward-party/articleshow/57746647.cms</ref><ref>http://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Timble-quits-GF-primary-membership/112961.html</ref> Subsequently, Dr. Renuka da Silva was appointed as the Chairperson of the South Goa Planning and Development Authority.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/> Former Congress Organisation Secretary Shri.Durgadas Kamat joined Goa Forward Party on 31 May 2016 and was appointed as the Vice President & Spokesperson of the Party.

On 12 July 2017, she was relieved from the position of the President as per her request.<ref>http://digitalgoa.com/vijai-sardesai-appointed-goa-forward-party-president/</ref> [[Vijai Sardesai]] took over as the new President of the Party. Jayesh Salgaonkar was appointed as the in-charge of the party's youth wing , [[Vinoda Paliencar]] was made in-charge of the [[Other Backward Class (OBC)|OBC]] wing.Shri.Raj Malik was appointed as the Youth President and Adv Ashma Sayed was appointed as Women Forward President <ref>http://www.prudentmedia.in/politics/goa-forward-president-vijay-sardesai-for-goemkarponn.html</ref>

==External links==
*[https://www.goaforward.in/ Goa Forward official website]
*[https://twitter.com/Goaforwardparty Goa Forward on Twitter]
*[https://www.facebook.com/GoaForwardParty/ Goa Forward on Facebook]

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

[[Category:Goa Forward Party| ]]
[[Category:2016 establishments in Goa]]
[[Category:Political parties established in 2016]]
[[Category:Political parties in Goa]]

Goa Forward Party - Revision history

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