CORTALIM: Congress leader Mariano Rodrigues has challenged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to clarify whether the BJP can afford to ignore Kannadiga voters in Cortalim amid the controversy over the CM’s “Yendu Gundu” remarks.
Rodrigues criticised Sawant’s reported comments, stressing that all Indian languages and citizens deserve respect. He also questioned the Chief Minister’s approach towards Kannada, pointing to his visits to Karnataka to campaign for the BJP and address voters in the local language.
The Congress leader further questioned the state government’s development claims, comparing Goa’s progress with the work undertaken by Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar.
Rodrigues alleged that Sawant’s remarks had undermined the dignity of his constitutional office and urged him to respect linguistic diversity.
The controversy has brought Kannadiga voters in Cortalim into the political debate, with Congress questioning the BJP’s stance on linguistic respect and electoral outreach. Sawant’s response to Rodrigues’ challenge was not included in the statement provided.
