Panaji, July 8: Strengthening the Indian National Congress’s growing grassroots movement across Goa, prominent social worker from the Priol constituency, Nonu Naik, formally joined the Indian National Congress today at the Congress Headquarters in Panaji in the presence of senior party leaders and office-bearers.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar welcomed Nonu Naik into the Congress family by accepting his membership form and presenting him with the Congress flag. He entrusted Naik with the responsibility of strengthening the party organisation at the grassroots level in the Priol constituency and expanding the Congress’s outreach among the people.
Welcoming Naik, Chodankar said that the growing number of social workers, professionals, youth, and grassroots leaders joining the Congress is a clear reflection of the people’s increasing faith in the party and their growing disenchantment with the BJP government.
“The BJP government has consistently failed the Bahujan Samaj and stands thoroughly exposed as a Bahujan Virodhi Government. Time and again, it has made promises to the Scheduled Tribe community only to betray them. Despite repeatedly assuring the ST community that reservation for Assembly elections would be implemented, the government deliberately failed to issue the necessary notification, reducing its assurances to nothing more than empty political rhetoric.
The injustice does not end there. The BJP government has also denied the Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, and Other Backward Classes their legitimate opportunities during the recruitment process by failing to ensure adequate representation in public employment. Such repeated discrimination reflects the government’s complete disregard for the constitutional rights and aspirations of the Bahujan communities.
The financial injustice is even more alarming. Under the Scheduled Tribe Sub-Plan, 10.53 per cent of the state budget is earmarked exclusively for the welfare and development of the Scheduled Tribe community. However, over the last five years, nearly ₹10,000 crore meant for tribal welfare has allegedly been diverted away from its intended purpose. Instead of investing these funds in education, healthcare, employment, housing, infrastructure, and livelihood opportunities for Scheduled Tribes, the BJP government has squandered public resources on publicity, event management, and what has become its ‘Mission Total Commission.’
Every rupee allocated under the Tribal Sub-Plan belongs to the Scheduled Tribe community and must be utilised exclusively for their socio-economic empowerment. Diverting these funds amounts to a grave injustice against one of Goa’s most deserving communities.
The BJP has repeatedly sought votes in the name of the Bahujan Samaj while systematically denying them justice, representation, and development. This government has betrayed the trust of the ST, SC, and OBC communities at every level.
The Indian National Congress has always stood firmly for social justice, constitutional values, and inclusive development. I appeal to the Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, OBCs, and every section of the Bahujan Samaj to give the Congress an opportunity to serve them. We are committed to restoring justice, protecting their constitutional rights, ensuring genuine representation, and guaranteeing that every rupee meant for their welfare reaches the intended beneficiaries,” Chodankar said.
GPCC Working President Carlos Alvares Ferreira said that Nonu Naik’s induction reflects the growing public confidence in the Congress as the only credible political alternative capable of providing clean, transparent, and people-centric governance.
“The BJP’s politics of arrogance, broken promises, and misgovernance has alienated every section of society. Across Goa, respected social workers, community leaders, and committed citizens are joining the Congress because they recognise that the party alone can provide a credible alternative and restore public confidence in governance.
The Congress is steadily evolving into a people’s movement, driven by the aspirations of ordinary Goans who seek honesty, accountability, and inclusive development. We wholeheartedly welcome Nonu Naik and are confident that his commitment to public service and his strong grassroots connect will significantly strengthen the Congress organisation in the Priol constituency,” Ferreira stated.
Expressing his gratitude after joining the party, Nonu Naik said that he was inspired by the Congress Party’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding democracy, protecting Goa’s interests, and consistently raising the voice of the common people.
He assured the party leadership that he would dedicate himself to strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level, expanding the Congress’s reach across the Priol constituency, and taking the party’s ideology and programmes to every household.
The induction programme was attended by GPCC Working President Carlos Alvares Ferreira, District President Mangaldas Naik, Block President Gurudas Korgaonkar, General Secretary Pradip Naik, OBC Department Chairman Sharad Chopdekar, Adivasi Department Chairman Ramkrishna Jalmi, Spokesperson Samil Volvoikar, Mahesh Mhambre, Mahesh Naik, Ganpati Naik, Premnath Gaonkar, Hemant Naik, Dinesh Jalmi, Deepa Naik, block Congress leaders, office-bearers, and party workers.
The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee reiterated that the steady influx of grassroots leaders, social activists, and citizens into the Congress across the state reflects the people’s growing desire for a responsive, transparent, corruption-free, and development-oriented government committed to protecting Goa’s interests and ensuring justice for every section of society.
