Rahul Gandhi’s one-liner says it all “They extended their full support to the Congress to bring a positive change in Goa. I’m happy to have their support” and the confidence with which he holds up the hands of Goa Forward Party Supremo Vijai Sardesai’s hands (Sardesai’s body language speaks of resignation) marks a year-long saga of will-they-won't-they ally forces.

Congress Party in Goa has agreed to ally with Goa Forward Party and would be giving it 3 seats including that of Fatorda, where Sardesai faces some uncertain prospects as Congress President Girish Chodankar had thrown his hat in the ring there. However, GFP’s year-long rave and rant may have given them a face-saver but was marred by the absence of Saligao MLA Jayesh Salgaokar from the photo-op. Salgaokar is all set to join BJP as he faced severe anti-incumbency on a GFP ticket from his supporters. GFP’s Vinod Palyekar also faces severe incumbency in the Siolim Assembly seat.

The Alliance gives GFP a chance to escape from virtual annihilation in the wake of its former Working President Kiran Kandolkar walking into TMC’s arms. Kandolkar had resigned citing Congress betrayal. For Vijai it will be déjà vu as the party that he had abandoned in 2017 comes to his rescue five years later.

For Congress’ CM forerunner Digambar Kamat, Vijai’s alliance helps him keep his seat and unnecessary needling by GFP voters in his seat. But for AICC’s Goa in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao, who once announced Congress could fight on all 40 seats, the compromise would keep on haunting till the alliance forms the next Government.

For Congress, the consolidation had a double whammy. While GFP did not merge with TMC whilst Vijai did not succumb to the Bengal Party, the other bright lining was Independent-tuned-Congress-turned-TMC MLA Prasad Gaonkar back in its fold. Goa's IYC incharge Akhilesh Yadav stole him back from TMC. For once, Congress isn’t giving up.

Independent MLA from Porvorim former Revenue & IT Minister Rohan Khaunte is up next expected to join in the coming days. His supporters have already been inducted into Congress.

More, gamechanging big shakeups coming up hereafter as Congress quietly moves in.