Team Goemkarponn
SHIRODA: The South Goa leg of the Congress’ Goy Rakhonn Yatra began in Shiroda on Sunday, with senior party leaders targeting the BJP government over issues ranging from land and unemployment to infrastructure, environmental protection and the Mhadei river.
The Day 13 of the statewide outreach campaign, which is covering all 40 Assembly constituencies, saw the participation of AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakre, GPCC president Girish Chodankar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Maharashtra Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam and other senior Congress leaders.
Before the yatra proceeded through the constituency, Chodankar, Alemao and other leaders offered prayers at the Bageshwar Prasann Temple.
Shiroda, represented by former Congress leader Subhash Shirodkar, who later joined the BJP, became the latest constituency where the Congress sought to highlight what it described as growing public dissatisfaction with the government.
Chodankar alleges political intimidation
GPCC president Girish Chodankar alleged that an atmosphere of political intimidation, or “dadagiri”, was prevailing in parts of the Shiroda constituency.
He claimed that Congress protest posters had been torn down and said such actions would not deter the party from continuing its statewide campaign.
Chodankar asserted that the Goy Rakhonn Yatra would continue to reach people across Goa and raise issues concerning their daily lives.
Alemao raises land, jobs and Mhadei concerns
Addressing the gathering, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said residents had raised several concerns, particularly regarding poor roads, inadequate playgrounds and water shortages.
He said a pending pipeline proposal had also become a concern for residents and accused the BJP government of compromising Goa’s hills, agricultural fields, rivers and khazan lands.
Referring to the Borim khazan land issue, Alemao said the government needed to protect Goa’s traditional land and environmental resources. He also criticised the proposed IIT project, alleging that adequate consultation with local residents had not taken place.
Alemao raised concerns over recurring flooding and the rising cost of the Borim bridge project.
On the Mhadei river dispute, he warned that any diversion of the river would have serious consequences for Goa, particularly for areas such as Shiroda. He alleged that the government had failed to withdraw the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
Alemao also reiterated the Congress’ promise to scrap Section 39A immediately after coming to power, claiming that the move would help prevent illegal land conversions and protect Goa’s land resources.
On employment, he said the lack of industries and job opportunities was forcing Goan youth to migrate outside the state in search of employment. He reiterated the Congress’ promise of 80% reservation in jobs for Goans.
Describing Shiroda as a traditional Congress stronghold, Alemao said the party would work to regain the constituency in the 2027 Assembly elections.
Kadam claims “Congress wave” across Goa
Maharashtra Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam, who joined the yatra, said he had witnessed strong public enthusiasm during his interactions with people in Goa.
Kadam claimed that a “Congress wave” was visible under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and said residents were expressing dissatisfaction with the BJP government.
He highlighted concerns over law and order, the recent shootout, land conversions and youth unemployment. He questioned the government’s claims of economic growth, asking how such growth could benefit the state if adequate employment opportunities were not being created for young people.
Kadam also referred to protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and raised allegations of corruption in connection with the Ram Mandir project.
Thakre calls for end to “dahshat”
AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakre called for an end to what he described as an atmosphere of “dahshat” or fear in Shiroda.
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Thakre urged voters to defeat the sitting MLA, whom he accused of betraying the mandate of the people.
He also accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate the democratic process through alleged voter-list manipulation and deletion of voters’ names for partisan advantage.
Praising Rahul Gandhi, Thakre said the Congress leader had raised the issue of “Vote Chori” and created awareness among citizens about their democratic and electoral rights.
The yatra was attended by AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakre, Dr Anjali Nimbhalkar, GPCC president Girish Chodankar, LoP Yuri Alemao, Maharashtra Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam, working presidents Adv. Carlos Alvares Ferreira, MK Shaikh and Sunil Kawthankar, general secretary Pradip Naik, media chairman Amarnath Panjikar, social media chairman Himanshu Tivrekar, Mahila Congress president Pratiksha Khalap, Youth Congress president Archit Naik, Seva Dal chief Rajan Ghate, district president Rajesh Verekar, block president Snehalo Gracias, and Congress leaders Shiprasad Shirodkar and Hemant Samant, among others.
