Panaji: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will participate in the party’s Goy Rakhon Yatra (Save Goa Campaign) on Sunday in South Goa’s Cuncolim constituency, despite the state administration rejecting permission for the event, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said.
Alemao told reporters on Saturday that Gandhi would join the yatra on Sunday evening in the Cuncolim Assembly constituency as part of the ongoing Goy Rakhon Yatra.
“The state administration has refused permission for the yatra, claiming that Gandhi cannot be allowed to walk on the national highway,” Alemao said, adding that Gandhi had stated he would walk alongside Congress workers and supporters as part of the yatra.
The Leader of Opposition said Gandhi would pay tribute at the Chieftains’ Memorial in Cuncolim at 5 pm, after which he would join the yatra.
“We are waiting for permission. Even if there is no permission, the event will happen. Goa will come in large numbers,” Alemao said.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar said Gandhi was originally scheduled to arrive on October 12, but his visit was cancelled due to the ongoing SIR protest in Delhi.
Chodankar said the state administration had also refused permission for the yatra on October 12. “But Rahul Gandhi is unstoppable,” he said.
The GPCC chief said Gandhi decided to prepone his visit to Goa after learning about the success of the yatra.
Chodankar added that although they were yet to receive permission for the yatra, they would go ahead with the programme.
