Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: The Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan (GRLA) has urged the Congress and Goa Forward Party (GFP) to spearhead the formation of a broad-based opposition alliance in Goa ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, asserting that only a united front can effectively challenge the BJP government.
GRLA President Kennedy Afonso said Goa Congress chief Amit Patkar and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao should impress upon the party’s central leadership the urgency of forging a pre-poll alliance in the state. According to Afonso, there is growing public sentiment in favour of opposition unity to provide a credible political alternative.
Calling for a cohesive strategy, GRLA appealed to opposition parties to draft a common minimum programme and a joint manifesto addressing pressing concerns facing the state. The organisation listed key demands including withdrawal of Article 17B, a ban on coal-related operations, and stronger environmental safeguards to protect Goa’s fragile ecology.
Afonso also proposed examining the introduction of an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system for non-residents — a demand previously raised by Goemche Fudle Pidghe Khattir — to safeguard Goa’s social, cultural and economic interests.
Highlighting the long-pending language issue, GRLA emphasised that recognition of Romi Konkani must be incorporated into the joint agenda. Afonso said the Romi script should be included in the Official Language Act and introduced in school curricula, noting that the matter has remained unresolved for decades.
Terming the 2027 Assembly polls as decisive for Goa’s future, Afonso called on opposition forces to unite on issues of identity, environment and cultural preservation, stressing that collective action is essential to protect the state’s interests.
