The All India Congress Committee (AICC) on 29 May 2026 appointed Girish Chodankar as the new President of the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), as part of a sweeping organisational overhaul aimed at revitalising the party's fortunes in the coastal state. The appointments were announced by AICC General Secretary K.C. Venugopal and took effect immediately.

Key Appointments in the New GPCC Team

Alongside Chodankar's elevation, the Congress high command named three working presidents: M.K. Shaikh, Altone D'Costa, and Adv. Carlos Alvares Ferriera. Datta D. Naik has been appointed as party treasurer. The AICC also approved appointments across key committees, signalling a structured rebuild rather than a cosmetic change.

On the campaign front, Yuri Alemao has been named chairperson of the campaign committee, while Captain Viriato Fernandes will head the manifesto committee. Francisco Sardinha and Sunil Kawthankar have been appointed chairperson and co-chairperson respectively of the coordination committee.

Why This Reshuffle Matters for Goa Congress

The Congress has struggled to regain its footing in Goa following a series of electoral setbacks, including its failure to return to power in the 2022 Goa Assembly elections, where it won only 11 of 40 seats. The party has since faced defections and internal discord. This reshuffle is being read in Goan political circles as a deliberate attempt by the high command to stabilise the state unit ahead of the next assembly cycle.

Notably, the composition of the new team — drawing leaders from different regions and communities — reflects the Congress's strategy to broaden its electoral coalition across Goa's diverse demographic landscape.

Chodankar's Political Background

Girish Chodankar is a senior Congress leader with significant organisational experience in Goa. He had previously served as GPCC president and is credited with building the party's grassroots network, particularly among youth and coastal communities. His reappointment signals the high command's confidence in his ability to consolidate the base and coordinate with central leadership ahead of future contests.

The Congress also expressed formal gratitude to outgoing GPCC president Amit Patkar for his service to the party organisation.

What the New Team Is Expected to Deliver

According to party insiders, the new GPCC leadership will prioritise grassroots mobilisation, issue-based campaigns, and tighter coordination with the AICC. Further appointments to fill out the full organisational structure are expected in the coming days. The decisions are being closely monitored by political observers, as the choices made now will likely shape Congress's electoral strategy for both the next assembly election and parliamentary contests in Goa.