Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: The Goy Rakhonn Yatra entered its 21st day on Wednesday with a strong public turnout in Canacona, where Congress leaders launched a sharp attack on the BJP government over alleged corruption, misuse of tribal welfare funds, denial of forest rights and neglect of basic infrastructure. Expressing confidence of returning to power in Goa in 2027, the leaders promised to address Canacona’s long-standing issues, including water scarcity, inadequate healthcare facilities, power supply problems and tribal welfare concerns.
The padyatra commenced from the KTC Bus Stand, passed through Char Rasta and Patnem, and concluded at the Old Canacona Bus Stand. AICC Goa Desk In-charge Manikrao Thakare, AICC Co-in-charge Dr Anjali Nimbalkar, GPCC President Girish Chodankar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Working Presidents Altone D’Costa and Sunil Kawthankar, along with several senior party leaders, elected representatives and workers, participated in the march.
The procession also saw the participation of Media Chairman Amarnath Panjikar, Social Media Chairman Himanshu Tivrekar, Vice President Subhash Faldesai, General Secretary Varad Mardolkar, District Presidents Rajesh Verekar and Assiz Noronha, Mahila Congress President Pratiksha Khalap, Youth Congress President Archit Naik, Sevadal Chief Rajan Ghate, OBC Chairman Sharad Chopdekar, spokesperson Amit Palekar and senior Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari, among others.
Addressing the gathering, GPCC President Girish Chodankar said the response to the yatra reflected growing public dissatisfaction with the BJP government and asserted that Goa was ready for political change in 2027. He expressed confidence that Congress would win the Canacona Assembly seat in the next elections.
Chodankar accused the BJP government of misusing public money in the name of tribal welfare, particularly through expenditure on Prerna Din celebrations. He alleged that crores of rupees had been spent improperly and warned that those found responsible for financial irregularities would face strict action if Congress came to power.
He also criticised Minister Digambar Kamat, alleging that tribal communities had suffered injustice during Kamat’s tenure as Chief Minister. Chodankar held him politically responsible for the deaths of two Scheduled Tribe youths during the Balli agitation and questioned his continued association with the BJP despite allegations of mining scams previously raised against him by the party.
On Canacona’s development concerns, Chodankar promised that a Congress government would prioritise resolving water scarcity and improving basic infrastructure. He also claimed that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was under pressure following the response to the yatra.
Chodankar further accused the BJP of electoral irregularities in Ponda, alleging that the Congress candidate had been close to victory before what he described as “vote chori and election chori”. He thanked Goans for supporting the yatra and praised Rahul Gandhi for his efforts to safeguard the Constitution, democracy and the rights of ordinary citizens.
AICC Goa Desk In-charge Manikrao Thakare claimed that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was considering moving to Delhi because the BJP could lose power in Goa in 2027. He accused the BJP government of corruption and misgovernance and said Congress would take legal action against ministers and MLAs found involved in corruption or illegal activities.
Thakare said Congress would lay a new foundation for Goa’s development and work towards restoring the state’s identity, prosperity and good governance.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao alleged that the BJP’s “double-engine government” had failed to address the concerns of ordinary Goans. He announced that a Congress government would establish a dialysis centre in Canacona to improve access to healthcare and reduce the hardships faced by patients requiring regular treatment.
Alemao also accused the government of inflated expenditure on Prerna Din celebrations, alleging that funds meant for tribal welfare were being squandered while several tribal communities continued to lack basic amenities. He appealed to the people of Canacona to unite behind Congress in the 2027 Assembly elections.
MLA Altone D’Costa said Congress had performed well whenever the party fought elections unitedly, citing the Zilla Panchayat election in the Gaondongrim constituency. He alleged that nearly one lakh square metres of land in Canacona had been handed over to outsiders, raising concerns about the protection of Goa’s land and identity.
D’Costa said Congress remained committed to safeguarding the state’s interests and called upon people to support political change in 2027.
Senior Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari accused the local MLA of prioritising personal interests and institutions over the development of Canacona. He alleged that the constituency’s pressing problems had been neglected despite the organisation of several events.
Bhandari pointed to inadequate healthcare facilities despite the availability of a hospital building and highlighted persistent power supply problems in Palolem, alleging that these issues had not received adequate attention from the local representative.
Congress ST leader Daya Gaonkar criticised the Canacona MLA over his proposed vision document for the constituency, alleging that it prioritised commissions over public welfare. He accused the MLA of failing to secure tribal communities’ rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), claiming that several deserving families had been denied forest land rights while their claims remained pending.
Gaonkar also raised concerns over the alleged neglect of shack operators and fishermen, saying their genuine demands had received insufficient attention. He expressed confidence that Congress would win the Canacona seat in 2027.
Congress leader Chetan Desai said the Goy Rakhonn Yatra was building momentum for political change across Goa by bringing public concerns to the forefront. He stressed the need for improvements in education, infrastructure and other essential sectors in Canacona and appealed to voters to support Congress in the next Assembly elections.
The 21st day of the yatra concluded with Congress leaders reiterating their commitment to protecting Goa’s land, environment, tribal rights and identity. They pledged to prioritise healthcare, education, employment, infrastructure and transparent governance if the party formed the government in 2027.
The allegations made by Congress leaders against the BJP government and local representatives were part of their political addresses during the yatra.
