Hibernation, it appears, is not a phenomenon restricted to frogs, bears, and other creatures of the wild. In Goa, it has become a well-established political survival strategy. Few exemplify this better than Churchill Alemao and Francisco alias Mickky Pacheco, who, after years of near-total political silence, have suddenly awakened to the unmistakable scent of approaching elections.
For years, both leaders remained largely absent from the political frontline. Yet, as election season inches closer, they have emerged from their prolonged slumber with renewed enthusiasm, eager to reclaim relevance in a political landscape that may have already moved on without them.
Churchill Alemao's latest political manoeuvring is particularly noteworthy. After spending considerable time criticizing the Congress, extending support to the BJP, and singing praises of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, he is now reportedly sending signals that he wishes to return to the Congress fold. Such dramatic political reversals have become so commonplace that they barely raise eyebrows anymore. In Goa's politics, yesterday's enemy often becomes today's indispensable ally, but deep inside a BJP agent.
Mickky Pacheco's journey has been no less fascinating. Throughout much of his active political career, he positioned himself firmly against the Congress. Yet when electoral prospects demanded it, he attempted to cozy up to the very party he had spent years opposing, seeking a Congress ticket. When that effort failed, he reverted to a familiar script - launching attacks against the party, publicly criticizing it, and resigning from the membership he had conveniently acquired while pursuing a ticket.
In recent years, Pacheco has also managed to find a place within Chief Minister Sawant's political orbit. However, despite this proximity, he continues to offer unsolicited advice to the Congress through what often appears to be a willing and ever-available media platform. One could almost mistake him for an unofficial Congress strategist, except that he has no formal association with the party.
His latest intervention saw him advising the Congress to replace GPCC President Girish Chodankar, warning that he would otherwise refuse to support the party. It was a curious declaration, considering support is generally offered by allies rather than by political outsiders issuing public ultimatums. Yet another BJP agent.
The reality, however, is that both Alemao and Pacheco are widely perceived by their critics as spent political forces whose electoral influence has significantly diminished. There is a growing belief that either would struggle to make a meaningful impact at the ballot box and could even risk forfeiting their deposits if they chose to contest.
More importantly, critics argue that both leaders function, directly or indirectly, as BJP agents. Their renewed interest in the Congress, according to this view, is not motivated by ideological alignment or political conviction but by a desire to weaken the party from within. The concern is not merely about entry into the Congress but about the possibility of influencing decisions, securing tickets, and eventually benefiting the BJP's broader electoral strategy.
Alemao's political trajectory is often cited in support of this argument. He supported the BJP while facing the Luis Berger case and was subsequently discharged by the court. Critics contend that political debts rarely disappear and that the BJP now expects its own return on investment. The alleged objective, they argue, is simple: infiltrate the Congress, secure tickets for himself and his daughter, and if circumstances permit, once again shift loyalties in favour of the BJP.
His record certainly provides ample material for political scrutiny. As the lone NCP MLA elected in 2017, he supported the BJP throughout its tenure. Then, in 2022, he contested on a TMC ticket while simultaneously attempting to forge an alliance with the Congress. Few politicians have demonstrated such flexibility in political affiliations while maintaining a straight face.
The Congress, for its part, has repeatedly accommodated and rehabilitated Alemao over the years. Yet at 77, many observers believe his political relevance has steadily faded since the 2022 elections. Rather than seeking yet another comeback, critics suggest he should gracefully continue his retirement from active politics instead of repeatedly asking both the Congress and the electorate for one more opportunity.
Pacheco's political career has similarly remained on the margins following his conviction for assaulting a Kadamba Transport Corporation driver. Having spent a prolonged period outside mainstream politics, his recent attacks on the Congress have surprised many observers, particularly given his lack of any formal alliance with the party.
His demands have gone far beyond criticism. Not only has he called for the removal of GPCC President Girish Chodankar, but he has also threatened to launch a third front or even float a new political party altogether. Such declarations generate headlines, but many view them as little more than political theatrics designed to maintain visibility.
Behind the rhetoric, critics believe the real objective remains unchanged: secure entry into the Congress, influence its internal dynamics, and ultimately tilt the political balance in favour of the BJP.
As election season approaches, Goa's political wildlife has clearly emerged from hibernation. Whether voters welcome these familiar faces back into public life or simply view them as relics of a bygone political era remains to be seen. One thing, however, is certain—the timing of their sudden awakening is unlikely to be mistaken for a coincidence.
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