Mapusa: The Congress on Thursday announced that it will launch a statewide ‘Goem Rakhon Yatra’ (Save Goa Campaign) from September 22 to mobilise people against the BJP government, accusing the ruling party of pushing the state’s youth into unemployment and promoting unchecked land sale.
Addressing a party programme titled ‘JanKranti’ at Mapusa town in North Goa, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said the yatra would seek to convince people that the BJP government had “ruined Goa by selling land, jobs and killing democracy”.
“We will convince the people of Goa how BJP has pushed youth into unemployment and ruined Goa by selling land, jobs and killing democracy,” Alemao said.
The Congress leader alleged that the BJP was using money power, state agencies and political influence to weaken opposition parties across the country.
“They did it in Goa. They did it with AAP and TMC. Even when they are in majority, they use money, muscle and state power to buy opposition MLAs and MPs,” he alleged.
Alemao said a Congress government would provide 80 per cent reservation for locals in the private sector.
The announcement of the yatra comes as political parties in Goa have started preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections.
Addressing the gathering, AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakre alleged that the BJP was more interested in winning elections than solving people’s problems.
“The BJP is continuously trying to hoodwink people. They are more focused on dividing people over religion. People know this and they also know that BJP had no contribution to the freedom struggle,” he said.
Thakre said the Congress would make every effort to “save Goa from destruction”.
GPCC president Girish Chodankar accused the BJP government of attempting to alter Goa’s identity and alleged that protests were taking place across the state against “land mafia and destruction”.
He claimed that outsiders had taken over several traditional businesses in Goa, depriving locals of opportunities.
“We will ensure that these businesses are given back to our youth,” Chodankar said.
The Congress leader also attacked the state government over law and order, claiming that even the chief minister had failed to protect his own convoy.
AICC co-incharge Anjali Nimbalkar appealed to the people to support the Congress, promising policies aimed at tackling inflation and improving the state’s financial condition.
Several senior Congress leaders, including former MP Francisco Sardinha, MLAs Altone D’Costa and Carlos Alvares Ferreira, and party office-bearers from North and South Goa attended the programme.
