In a fresh attempt to break the deadlock over an alliance ahead of the 2027 Goa Assembly elections, a two-member Congress delegation comprising South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes and party working president M K Sheikh met Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai on Tuesday.

The Congress leaders held a lengthy meeting with Sardesai at Goemkar Ghor, the headquarters of Goa Forward. However, the discussions failed to produce any breakthrough, with Sardesai reportedly raising several questions regarding the proposed alliance and seeking clarity from the Congress delegation.

With no tangible outcome from the meeting, Goa Forward’s decision to keep alliance talks with Congress suspended remains unchanged.

The outreach was reportedly initiated by All India Congress Committee Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare, who is understood to have tasked Fernandes and Sheikh with holding discussions with Sardesai. Sources said Thakare also attempted to contact the Goa Forward chief over the phone before the Congress delegation arrived at Goemkar Ghor, but could not reach him.

Sardesai’s concerns over the alliance come amid his repeated warnings that Congress could face a “hat-trick of defections” in the run-up to the 2027 elections. He has previously questioned the electoral benefit of reviving the alliance and expressed apprehension over the possibility of post-poll defections.