Gõy Rakhonn Yatra Receives Massive Response in Curtorim

Congress Vows to Protect Goa and Form Government in 2027

Congress leaders slam BJP over corruption, destructive projects, indiscriminate land conversions and threats to Goa’s identity; call for unity to bring political change

Goa Khabar: The Gõy Rakhonn Yatra, organised by the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), received an overwhelming response in Curtorim constituency on Saturday, with thousands of Yatris and local residents participating in the padayatra to reaffirm their commitment to protecting Goa’s land, environment, culture and identity.

The padayatra commenced from the Veterinary Hospital at Sonsodo and culminated at Curtorim Market, where senior Congress leaders addressed the gathering and launched a strong attack on the BJP government over alleged corruption, destructive development projects, indiscriminate land conversions, environmental degradation and its failure to safeguard the interests of Goans.

The Yatra was attended by GPCC President Girish Chodankar, AICC Secretary Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar, Congress leader Manikrao Thakare, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, South Goa MP Capt. Viriato Fernandes, former Chief Minister and former MP Francisco Sardinha, GPCC Working Presidents Altone D’Costa, M. K. Sheikh and Sunil Kawthankar, Media Department Chairman Amarnath Panjikar, Social Media Chairman Himanshu Tivrekar, Vice President Subhash Faldesai, General Secretaries Moreno Rebelo, Joseph Vaz and Pradip Naik, Mahila Congress President Pratiksha Khalap, Youth Congress President Archit Naik, Seva Dal Chief Rajan Ghate, Seva Dal In-charge Archana Jyoshi, Mahila Congress In-charge Simita Gore, District Presidents Assiz Noronha and Rajesh Verekar, Zilla Panchayat members Astra D’Silva and Mishell Rebello, Block President Milagres Fernandes, and several other GPCC office-bearers and representatives of various frontal organisations of the Indian National Congress, along with thousands of Yatris.

Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Eduardo Faleiro appreciated the GPCC for organising the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra, describing it as an important initiative to unite Goans in the larger interest of protecting the state.

Highlighting Congress’s historic contribution to the development of India and Goa, Faleiro said the party had played a significant role in nation-building, infrastructure development and strengthening democratic institutions. He urged Congress leaders and workers to remain united, strengthen the organisation and work collectively towards forming a Congress government in Goa in the 2027 Assembly elections.

Congress leader Manikrao Thakare launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, alleging that corruption had become institutionalised under its rule. Accusing the government of operating through a “30 per cent commission” system, he said people were suffering because of corruption, misgovernance and policies that failed to protect their interests.

Thakare said the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was the need of the hour, both in Goa and across the country. He said Rahul Gandhi was leading the fight against alleged “vote chori” (vote theft) and defending democratic values.

“Our aim is to bring all Goans together and work collectively for their welfare. Congress is the only party committed to protecting the interests of the people. We must remain united, strengthen our organisation and intensify our efforts to defeat the BJP. The Gõy Rakhonn Yatra has given a strong voice to the people’s concerns, and we must carry this movement forward to bring a Congress government to power in Goa in 2027,” Thakare asserted.

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said the massive response to the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra reflected the people’s growing anger against the BJP government and its policies. He said the Yatra had become a movement to protect Goa’s land, environment, culture, identity and constitutional values.

Alemao raised serious concerns over proposed mega projects, indiscriminate hill cutting and land conversions in Curtorim, warning that such activities threatened the constituency’s natural beauty, environment and identity.

Questioning the silence of the local MLA, Alemao asked why the elected representative had failed to oppose projects that could permanently damage Curtorim’s villages and natural resources. He urged residents to identify those responsible for bringing large projects into their villages and hold them accountable.

Alemao strongly criticised the BJP government’s proposed anti-conversion legislation, which he said had received Cabinet approval. Alleging that the proposed law threatened minorities, constitutional rights and religious freedom, he asserted that every citizen had the constitutional right to practise and protect their religion.

Raising allegations of financial irregularities, Alemao questioned the reported expenditure of ₹19 crore on the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) website and ₹25 lakh on its logo, demanding accountability from Minister Mauvin Godinho. He recalled that successive Congress governments had established several industrial estates and laid the foundation for Goa’s industrial development.

Alemao said Congress had consistently opposed destructive legislation in the Legislative Assembly, while alleging that the Curtorim MLA had supported the BJP government on several controversial issues. He further alleged that certain political parties were working at the behest of the BJP to divide Goans instead of protecting Goa’s interests.

Warning about growing water scarcity, Alemao said unchecked construction, destruction of hills and environmental degradation could create serious problems for future generations, including conflicts over water resources.

He also strongly criticised the BJP government over the alleged institutionalisation of corruption and its failure to protect Goa’s interests.

Expressing confidence ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, Yuri Alemao declared that Congress was determined to win 27 seats, including Curtorim, and form the next government in Goa. He appealed to Goans to participate in large numbers in the concluding phase of the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra alongside Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, October 18, in Margao.

Former Chief Minister Francisco Sardinha highlighted Curtorim’s rich agricultural heritage and praised farmers who continue to cultivate their fields despite numerous challenges. He accused the BJP government of neglecting agriculture and failing to provide adequate support to the farming community.

Sardinha said Congress had always believed in taking people of all religions and communities together and promoting communal harmony, while accusing other political parties of pursuing divisive politics. He appealed to the people of Curtorim to strengthen Congress and support the party in the 2027 Assembly elections.

South Goa MP Capt. Viriato Fernandes said Curtorim had traditionally remained a stronghold of Congress and accused the local MLA of betraying the people’s mandate by allegedly working in the interests of the BJP.

Describing the MLA as a “betrayer of the people’s mandate”, Fernandes alleged that he was acting as a representative of the BJP rather than safeguarding the interests of Curtorim’s residents. He also raised concerns over the controversial Sunburn festival and alleged that the local MLA had played a role in plans to organise the event in South Goa.

Fernandes called for political change in Curtorim and urged voters to elect a Congress MLA in the 2027 Assembly elections.

GPCC Working President and MLA Altone D’Costa said the overwhelming love, affection and support received by the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra across Goa demonstrated the growing concern among Goans about the future of their state.

He alleged that the BJP government had destroyed in just 15 years what successive Congress governments had worked for decades to build, protect and preserve. D’Costa said the 2027 Assembly elections would be crucial for safeguarding Goa’s land, environment, identity, cultural heritage and future generations.

He appealed to Congress workers and supporters to carry the message of the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra to every household and mobilise people to bring Congress back to power.

Senior Congress Working President M. K. Sheikh administered a pledge to the gathering, reaffirming the collective commitment of the participants to protecting Goa’s land, environment, culture, identity and the interests of future generations.

The pledge emphasised unity, collective responsibility and determination to preserve Goa’s unique heritage and natural beauty. Sheikh asserted that the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra was not merely a political march but a people’s movement to save Goa, declaring that the struggle would continue until the BJP government was voted out of power in the 2027 Assembly elections.

Congress General Secretary Joseph Vaz expressed gratitude to the people of Goa for their enthusiastic participation in the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra. He said the tremendous response throughout the journey reflected growing public awareness and concern over issues affecting Goa’s land, environment and future.

Congress leader Moreno Rebelo reiterated Curtorim’s longstanding association with Congress and declared that the people would not allow their constituency to be sold.

“The people of Curtorim have always stood with Congress. We will not allow Curtorim to be sold,” Rebelo asserted.

The Curtorim leg of the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra concluded with Congress leaders reiterating their determination to oppose destructive development, protect Goa’s natural resources and cultural identity, and build a united movement for political change in 2027.

The leaders appealed to people from across Goa to participate in large numbers in the concluding phase of the Gõy Rakhonn Yatra on Sunday, October 18, when Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to join the padayatra from Navelim to Margao and address a public gathering. They called upon Goans to unite beyond political and community divisions to protect the state’s land, environment, cultural heritage and constitutional values, and to work collectively towards bringing Congress back to power in 2027.

Amarnath Panjikar compered the program and Curtorim Block President Milagres Fernandes proposed vote of thanks. The program concluded with cultural programme.