Team Goemkarponn
ST CRUZ: Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare said that defectors will not be forgiven by the people, adding that neither the Congress party nor even God would pardon such actions. He also emphasized that the Constitution guarantees full freedom to practice any religion and this must be respected, while cautioning that politics in the name of religion and attempts to divide people should be firmly opposed.
Thakare said the Congress ideology stands for unity, brotherhood, and inclusive development, adding that those who use religion or caste for politics lack a development record and only create divisions to weaken democracy.
AICC co-incharge Anjali Nimbalkar said the party welcomes everyone with an open heart but warned that its generosity should not be taken for granted amid concerns over defections. She said voters often question the loyalty of leaders and added that while Congress embraces all like a mother, those who fail to value it must choose their own path. She further stated that leaders who left the party have rarely found lasting success and expressed confidence that people will support Congress in the 2027 elections.
GPCC President Amit Patkar said that Amit Palekar has joined the Congress to strengthen the party in the St Cruz constituency and extended his best wishes to him. Patkar also said there was earlier confusion among the public and media over statements made by him and Palekar, but clarified that there is now no difference and both will speak in one voice for the Congress.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said the Congress, along with its alliance partners, will form the government in 2027 with 27 MLAs to end the “destruction of Goa” under the current government. He also alleged that the government got scared and claimed the Advocate General acted on the Chief Minister’s directions to cancel the Ponda election.
Advocate Amit Palekar, social worker and politician, joined the Congress party on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Aluva Open Air, Merces, in the presence of Thakare, Nimbalkar, Patkar and Alemao. Among those present were Alton D’Costa, Carlos Ferreira, former MP Francisco Sardinha, former MLA Dharma Chodankar, vice president M K Shaikh, Sunil Kawthankar, media chairman Amarnath Panjikar, OBC chairman Sharad Chopdekar, ST chairman Ramkrishna Jalmi, Mahila president Pratiksha Khalap, Youth president Archit Naik, Seva Dal president Rajan Ghate, Jawahar Bal Manch president Palagia Raposo, district presidents Shashank Narvekar, Mangaldas Naik and Assis Noronha, St Cruz block president John Nazareth, North Goa Youth Congress president Trevor Fernandes and several leaders and supporters from the St Cruz constituency.
