Rahul Gandhi Slams BJP Over Land Grab, Unemployment and Corruption; Congress Launches ‘Gaon Rakhonn Abhiyan’

Congress calls for protection of Goa’s land, identity and resources; Rahul Gandhi appeals for a full majority in the 2027 Assembly elections

Goa Khabar: The Goy Rakhonn Yatra, organised by the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC), culminated in Margao on Sunday in the presence of Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, AICC In-charge Manikrao Thakare, Co-In-charge Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar, GPCC President Girish Chodankar, Goa Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao, Working Presidents Altone D’Costa, M. K. Shaikh and Sunil Kawthankar, MP Capt. Viriato Fernandes, Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) National President Viresh Borkar, State President Shavina Shirodkar, former MP Francisco Sardinha, Ramakant Khalap, Media Chairman Amarnath Panjikar, frontal chiefs Pratiksha Khalap, Archit Naik and Rajan Ghate, district presidents,block presidents ,Congress leaders, party workers and thousands of supporters. *The grand culmination also witnessed the launch of the Congress’s ‘Gaon Rakhonn Abhiyan’, extending the Yatra’s mission of protecting Goa’s land, identity, environment and the rights of its people.

Addressing the gathering, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP government of prioritising the interests of wealthy individuals and corporate interests over those of ordinary Goans. Describing Goa as a paradise whose land, environment and cultural identity must be protected, he alleged that land-related decisions were facilitating the transfer of Goa’s resources away from local communities. He asserted that Goa belonged to its people and not to the Chief Minister or any BJP minister.

RAHUL GANDHI CALLS FOR PROTECTION OF GOA’S LAND AND IDENTITY

Rahul Gandhi raised concerns over unemployment, environmental degradation, land-related controversies and the alleged exploitation of Goa’s natural resources. He questioned the lack of adequate employment opportunities for Goan youth, pointing to the challenges faced by young people seeking jobs and the need for quality education, accessible healthcare and sustainable development.

He accused the BJP government of promoting a governance model that favoured powerful corporate interests, referring to industrialists Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani. He also criticised the alleged influence of the BJP and RSS over educational institutions and raised concerns about the functioning of democratic institutions.

Calling upon Goans to defend their land, rights and future, Rahul Gandhi appealed to the electorate to give Congress a full majority in the 2027 Assembly elections. He expressed confidence that Congress could bring accountable governance and address the concerns of ordinary citizens.

RAHUL GANDHI RAISES ALLEGATIONS OF ELECTORAL MANIPULATION

Rahul Gandhi reiterated his allegations of vote theft and electoral irregularities, naming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in connection with his claims. Referring to electoral processes in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Assam, he called for accountability and stronger protection of democratic institutions.

He said Congress workers would continue defending the Constitution and democratic values, asserting that allegations of electoral manipulation must be addressed transparently and through appropriate legal and institutional processes.

GIRISH CHODANKAR DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY FROM BJP GOVERNMENT

GPCC President Girish Chodankar launched a sharp attack on the BJP government led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, raising concerns over land conversions, unemployment, drug-related issues, law and order, and alleged corruption.

Chodankar placed Goa’s liabilities at approximately ₹50,000 crore and demanded that the government publish a white paper on the state’s finances to provide transparency on its debt and liabilities. He also raised questions about the alleged increase in the Chief Minister’s assets and demanded accountability in connection with the alleged cash-for-jobs scam.

Highlighting the public response to the Goy Rakhonn Yatra, Chodankar expressed confidence in Congress’s electoral prospects and predicted that the party could win 12–13 Assembly seats in North Goa in 2027. He called upon party workers to build on the momentum generated by the Yatra and intensify their efforts to bring about political change.

YURI ALEMAO INVOKES GOA’S OPINION POLL LEGACY

Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao recalled Goa’s historic Opinion Poll movement and invoked Jawaharlal Nehru’s statement, “Let Goa decide its own destiny.” He drew parallels between the historic struggle to preserve Goa’s identity and the present campaign to protect the state’s land, culture and interests.

Alemao accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Minister Vishwajit Rane of presiding over decisions that, he alleged, threatened Goa’s land and identity. Referring to the BJP as the “Bhrasht Jhumla Party”, he criticised the government over alleged corruption and governance failures.

He appealed to Goans across communities and constituencies to unite in defence of their land and heritage and to work towards defeating the BJP in the 2027 Assembly elections.

‘GAON RAKHONN ABHIYAN’ TO CARRY FORWARD THE FIGHT

The launch of the Gaon Rakhonn Abhiyan marked the next phase of Congress’s campaign to protect Goa’s villages, land, environment, culture and traditional way of life. Building on the outreach of the Goy Rakhonn Yatra across all 40 Assembly constituencies, the initiative seeks to strengthen public participation and mobilise citizens around issues affecting their livelihoods, identity and future.

Congress leaders reiterated their commitment to fighting alleged corruption, opposing land-related decisions detrimental to local communities, creating employment opportunities for Goan youth, improving public services and safeguarding Goa’s natural and cultural heritage.

The culmination of the Goy Rakhonn Yatra in Margao sent out a political message that Congress intends to carry its campaign for the protection of Goa into the 2027 Assembly elections, seeking a mandate for a government committed to the interests of Goans.

The Programme was Compered by Amarnath Panjikar, GPCC President Girish Chodankar welcomed while Working President MK Shaikh proposed vote of thanks.

*GOA’S LAND, IDENTITY AND FUTURE BELONG TO ITS PEOPLE*