Team Goemkarponn
FATORDA: The Goy Rakhonn Yatra received a strong response as the Congress march moved from Nuvem towards Fatorda on Wednesday, with senior party leaders launching a sharp attack on the BJP Government over issues including democracy, unemployment, land conversions, drugs, law and order and the protection of Goa’s identity.
Addressing the gathering, All India Mahila Congress President Alka Lamba said Congress leaders had taken to the streets because the future of Goa and the constitutional rights of its people were at stake.
“Congress leaders are on the streets for the future of Goa. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are fighting for democracy. We are fighting for every right guaranteed to us by the Constitution,” Lamba said.
Lamba accused the BJP of what Congress has termed “Vote Chori” and raised concerns over electoral rolls and democratic institutions. She also used the political phrases “vote chor”, “paper chor”, “Ram Mandir donation chor” and “land chori” while attacking the ruling party over alleged corruption, electoral irregularities and land-related issues.
Calling upon Goans to lead the fight against the BJP through the democratic process, Lamba said, “Goa will show the way to defeat the BJP. Rahul Gandhi is seeking your support. Congress is ready to give its blood to protect Goa, its history and its identity.”
She also raised concerns over drug trafficking and crimes against women, questioning government accountability and demanding stronger action against offenders.
Lamba reiterated Congress’s demand for greater transparency in the electoral process, including the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a return to ballot-paper voting.
“This fight will not stop. We will continue to fight for our democratic and constitutional rights,” she said.
She also appealed to citizens to participate in the proposed nationwide protest in Delhi on November 1 against what Congress has termed “Vote Chori”.
Thakare: Congress Will Unite Those Fighting BJP
AICC Goa In-charge Manikrao Thakare said Congress remained committed to bringing together people and political forces genuinely committed to defeating the BJP.
He reiterated that the party was open to working with parties and groups that sincerely wanted to challenge the BJP and stressed the need for opposition unity.
Thakare said the Goy Rakhonn Yatra would continue to provide a platform for concerns relating to governance, law and order, women’s safety, environment, land and employment.
Chodankar: The Fight Is For Goa’s Future
GPCC President Girish Chodankar said Congress would continue taking the concerns of the people directly to every constituency.
He said the Goy Rakhonn Yatra was not merely a political march but a movement centred on the concerns of Goans, including land, development, environment, heritage, employment and protection of Goa’s identity.
“The Congress will not be distracted from the issues raised by the people. We will continue taking their voice to every corner of Goa and to all 40 Assembly constituencies,” Chodankar said.
Yuri Alemao: Goa And India Have Woken Up
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said people in Goa and across India were increasingly questioning what he described as an authoritarian style of governance.
Referring to the Congress presence in Nuvem and Fatorda, Alemao said the constituencies had a long history of supporting Congress and expressed confidence that people would once again raise their voice on issues affecting Goa.
He accused the BJP Government of injustice towards ordinary citizens and alleged that Goa’s land was being “looted” through large-scale land conversions.
“Mass land conversions must stop. Drugs are now reaching our villages. The Government should be focused on education and employment creation, but instead its focus is on land conversions,” Alemao said.
He said Congress had never discriminated against people and remained committed to protecting Goa’s land, identity, environment and future.
Alemao also announced that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi are expected to participate in the Goy Rakhonn Yatra in Quepem and Cuncolim, giving further momentum to the statewide campaign.
Captain Viriato Fernandes: Goan Youth Deserve Jobs On Merit
South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes accused the BJP Government of failing Goa’s youth and alleged that government jobs were being “sold” for lakhs of rupees.
He also criticised what he described as the deteriorating law-and-order situation and alleged that Goa was acquiring an alarming reputation for seriousw crimes.
“Goan youth deserve transparent and merit-based employment opportunities. The Government must be accountable for creating jobs within Goa,” Fernandes said.
He said the Goy Rakhonn Yatra was providing ordinary Goans with a platform to speak directly about employment, governance and their future.
Altone D’Costa: Goa Must Come First
Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa said the interests of Goa and Goans must remain above political calculations.
He criticised attempts to divide the opposition vote and urged voters to carefully examine the political choices before them.
“Goa must come first. Every political decision must be taken keeping the future and interests of Goans at the centre,” D’Costa said.
Nuvem Mobilises Strong Support
The Nuvem programme witnessed the participation of Nusarat Ali and Nuvem Block Congress President Morison Rodrigues, along with a large number of Congress workers and local supporters.
The Nuvem leg of the Yatra began near Agnel Ashram in Verna, proceeded through Nuvem and moved towards Fatorda, with party workers and citizens joining the march along the route.
Senior Congress Leaders Join Goy Rakhonn Yatra
The Yatra was joined by senior Congress leaders and functionaries including GPCC President Girish Chodankar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes, Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, AICC Goa In-charge Manikrao Thakare, Dr Anjali Nimbalkar, M.K. Sheikh, Sunil Kawthankar, Amarnath Panjikar, Himanshu Tivrekar, Pratiksha Khalap, Archit Naik, Rajan Ghate, Assiz Noronha, Mangaldas Naik, Shashank Narvekar, Pradip Naik, Subhash Faldesai, Everson Vales, Pauslip Dorado, Savio Coutinho, Samil Volvoikar and Fatorda Block President Yogesh Nagvekar, along with several state, district and block-level leaders.
The programme was compered by Amarnath Panjikar, while Pradip Naik proposed the vote of thanks.
“The Fight Will Not Stop”
Congress leaders said the Goy Rakhonn Yatra would continue to raise concerns over jobs, education, land conversions, drugs, law and order, women’s safety, environment, Goa’s identity and democratic rights.
The party reiterated that the objective of the Yatra was to take these issues directly to the people and build a united public movement across all 40 Assembly constituencies.
“The fight for Goa’s land, identity, democracy and future will not stop. The voice of the people will reach every constituency,” Congress leaders said.
