Team Goemkarponn
FATORPA/CUNCOLIM: Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy on Sunday expressed confidence in a political change in Goa, declaring that the state was witnessing the “winds of change” as thousands of people joined the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra through Quepem and Cuncolim constituencies.
Drawing parallels with Telangana ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, Reddy called upon Congress leaders and workers to strengthen preparations for the 2027 Goa Assembly elections, asserting that the party could bring about a similar political transformation in the state.
The padyatra began at Fatorpa in Quepem constituency and concluded at the Cuncolim Bus Stand, with Congress leaders and supporters participating in large numbers. The march highlighted concerns over Goa’s land, identity, culture, environment, unemployment, corruption, alleged recruitment irregularities and the drug menace.
Addressing the gathering, Reddy urged Goans to protect their land and future, alleging that the BJP government had failed to safeguard the interests of ordinary citizens. He criticised the government over unemployment among local youth and the alleged spread of the drug trade, referring to the anti-drug Eagle team established by his government in Telangana.
Reddy also raised concerns about the alleged influence of land, property and drug mafias, accusing the BJP of favouring wealthy interests over the poor, Dalits, OBCs and Adivasis. He questioned the government’s handling of Goa’s land and resources and called for stronger action to protect the state’s environment and cultural identity.
On national politics, Reddy criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over concerns relating to constitutional institutions and alleged deletions from electoral rolls. He praised Rahul Gandhi for raising issues affecting the youth and accused the BJP of dividing people along linguistic, regional and religious lines.
Appealing for opposition unity, Reddy warned that a division of votes among opposition parties could benefit the BJP in the 2027 elections. He urged Congress workers to intensify their grassroots efforts and mobilise public support for political change.
AICC Goa Desk In-charge Manikrao Thakare said the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra was intended to highlight Goa’s pressing concerns, particularly unemployment, corruption and the alleged cash-for-jobs issue. He asserted that Congress would continue to raise public grievances and hold the BJP government accountable.
Thakare expressed confidence that Congress could defeat the BJP with the support and blessings of the people of Goa. He also accused the BJP of engineering political defections to advance its interests, reiterating the party’s commitment to protecting Goa and Goemkars.
Leader of Opposition and Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao condemned the police action at Balli, alleging that roadblocks inconvenienced participants, particularly members of the Bahujan Samaj. He also expressed concern over the detention of protesting youths and questioned the state’s law-and-order situation.
Alemao recalled Congress’s historical role in the Konkani language movement, the Opinion Poll and Goa’s attainment of statehood. He accused the BJP government of compromising the state’s interests through alleged large-scale land transactions and raised concerns about public safety and crime.
Describing the Yatra as the beginning of the end for the BJP government, Alemao expressed confidence that Congress would return to power in 2027. He appealed to Goemkars to unite to protect Goa’s future.
Quepem MLA and Congress Working President Altone D’Costa described the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra as a people’s movement, stating that Goemkars were coming forward to defend their land, identity and future. He alleged that roadblocks had forced participants to take a longer route but said Congress would continue its campaign with public support.
The padyatra was attended by Revanth Reddy, Manikrao Thakare, AICC Goa Co-in-charge Dr Anjali Nimbalkar, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Girish Chodankar, Yuri Alemao, Altone D’Costa, former Chief Minister Francisco Sardinha, Telangana MP Kiran Kumar Reddy and several other Congress leaders, office-bearers and party workers.
The programme was compered by Amarnath Panjikar, while South Goa District Congress President Assiz Noronha welcomed the gathering.
The participation in Quepem and Cuncolim marked another stage of the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra, with Congress leaders renewing their call for the protection of Goa’s land, culture and environment, better employment opportunities for local youth, action against corruption and measures to safeguard future generations.
The leaders appealed to Goemkars to participate actively in the democratic process and support the political change they seek in the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
