Congress leaders target BJP over mining closure, Sanjivani Sugar Factory, tribal welfare funds, water scarcity and unemployment; accuse government of exploiting Sanguem’s natural resources while neglecting its people
SANGUEM, OCTOBER 15, 2026: The Goy Rakhonn Yatra entered its 22nd day on Thursday, drawing an overwhelming public response in Sanguem as Congress leaders launched a scathing attack on the BJP government over alleged corruption, exploitation of natural resources, denial of tribal land rights, unemployment and neglect of essential infrastructure.
Expressing confidence that Congress would form the next government in 2027, party leaders vowed to end Sanguem’s 26-year political drought without a Congress MLA and usher in a new era of development, employment opportunities, social justice and protection of tribal rights.
The leaders alleged that Sanguem, despite contributing valuable water and mineral resources to Goa, had been systematically deprived of adequate development, employment and basic amenities. They accused the BJP government of pushing mining-dependent families, farmers and tribal communities into financial distress while ignoring their long-standing grievances.
The massive padyatra witnessed the participation of AICC Goa Desk In-charge Manikrao Thakare, AICC Co-In-charge Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar, GPCC President Girish Chodankar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Working Presidents M.K. Shaikh and Sunil Kawthankar, Media Chairman Amarnath Panjikar, Social Media Chairman Himanshu Tivrekar, Mahila Congress President Pratiksha Khalap, Youth Congress President Archit Naik, Sevadal Chief Rajan Ghate, District President Rajesh Verekar, Block President Diago Fernandes, Congress leaders Josephine Fernandes and Janardhan Bhandari, Pralay Bhagat, Scheduled Tribe leaders Satyawan Gaonkar and Satyawan Talwadkar, social worker Amit Naik, Dr. Shankar Nadkarni, C.M. Fernandes, Chanda Velip, Rajanikant Naik, Jitendra Naik, Sanguem Youth President Yogesh Gaonkar and other Congress leaders and office-bearers. Thousands of yatris and party workers joined the march, reflecting the growing public enthusiasm for political change and a renewed demand for accountable governance.
GIRISH CHODANKAR: BJP HAS BETRAYED SANGUEM’S PEOPLE
GPCC President Girish Chodankar thanked the people of Sanguem for their overwhelming participation in the Goy Rakhonn Yatra, stating that the enthusiastic response reflected a growing wave of political change across Goa.
Targeting local MLA Subhash Phal Dessai, Chodankar questioned why Sanguem continued to face water scarcity despite supplying water to other parts of Goa. He accused the BJP government of neglecting the Bahujan Samaj, minority communities and ordinary residents while failing to ensure equitable development.
Chodankar also accused the BJP government of favouring outsiders in the allotment of liquor and wine shops at Goa’s airports. Alleging irregularities in the state’s liquor trade, he demanded a thorough investigation and drew a comparison with the liquor policy controversy involving Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi.
He further alleged that the BJP and RSS were pursuing policies detrimental to the economic interests, traditional occupations and businesses of the Bahujan Samaj.
Referring to the mining shutdown in 2012, Chodankar blamed the BJP for the severe hardships faced by mining-dependent families, particularly those belonging to the Bahujan Samaj. He also alleged that the Sanjivani Sugar Factory had been shut down with the intention of taking control of its valuable land, jeopardising the interests of farmers and workers.
Chodankar accused the BJP government of undermining the livelihoods of traditional taxi operators and other ordinary Goans. He further alleged that corruption in government recruitment, including the alleged cash-for-jobs scam, had become a serious concern under the present administration.
Highlighting that Sanguem had not elected a Congress MLA for the past 26 years, Chodankar recalled the development initiatives undertaken in the constituency under the leadership of Yuri Alemao and his father, former minister Joaquim Alemao. He expressed confidence that the people of Sanguem would now bring Congress back to the constituency.
Turning to tribal welfare, Chodankar targeted Minister Digambar Kamat, recalling that the BJP and former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had previously levelled allegations involving a ₹35,000-crore mining scam against Kamat. He questioned the BJP’s position on those allegations now that Kamat was serving as a minister in the same government.
Chodankar also demanded accountability over the utilisation of approximately ₹3,200 crore earmarked for tribal welfare, questioning whether the intended benefits had reached Scheduled Tribe communities.
Referring to the alleged financial irregularities in the Prerna Din celebrations, he said Congress had raised serious concerns over the alleged misuse of public money meant for tribal welfare.
He further held Digambar Kamat politically responsible for the deaths of two tribal youths during the Balli agitation and urged members of the Scheduled Tribe community to question the BJP government over the utilisation of welfare funds and the continuing injustice faced by their communities.
MANIKRAO THAKARE: PEOPLE WILL REJECT BJP’S MISRULE IN 2027
AICC Goa Desk In-charge Manikrao Thakare expressed confidence that Congress would win the Sanguem Assembly constituency in 2027 and appealed to the people to support the party for the constituency’s development.
Thakare criticised the BJP government for allegedly failing to grant land ownership rights to tribal communities and accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant of failing to protect Goa’s land, forests and environment.
He also alleged that law and order had deteriorated under the present government, while Sanguem continued to remain underdeveloped despite years of BJP rule.
Referring to the overwhelming response to the Goy Rakhonn Yatra, Thakare said the movement had sent a strong message of political change across Goa. He asserted that the BJP leadership had realised that the government had failed to fulfil the expectations of the people.
Thakare further claimed that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was considering shifting to New Delhi because of growing public dissatisfaction with his government’s performance.
He said the people of Goa were frustrated with the BJP’s governance and expressed confidence that they would vote Congress to power in the 2027 Assembly elections.
YURI ALEMAO RECALLS DEVELOPMENT WORK; ASSURES JUSTICE TO SANGUEM
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao recalled his association with Sanguem, stating that he had wished to serve the people of the constituency in 2012, when his father, former minister Joaquim Alemao, was serving as its Palak Mantri.
He said several development and welfare initiatives had been undertaken during that period, including road development, implementation of government schemes, construction of a burial ground for the Muslim community, housing repairs for Scheduled Tribe families under the RDA scheme, and beautification of temples and churches.
Alemao criticised the BJP government for failing to resolve the problems faced by mining-dependent families, alleging that the closure of mining under former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had severely affected their livelihoods. He also accused the local MLA of indulging in vendetta politics instead of addressing the pressing concerns of the people.
Launching a sharp attack on Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Alemao alleged that the BJP government was attempting to divide Hindus, Christians and Muslims for political gains. He further accused the government of misusing tribal welfare funds while members of Scheduled Tribe communities continued to struggle for their basic rights and development.
Expressing concern over the sale of land in Sanguem, Alemao stressed the urgent need to protect Goa’s land, identity and natural resources.
He assured the people that Congress would select a popular and capable candidate for the constituency and expressed confidence that Sanguem would elect a Congress MLA in 2027.
Alemao also promised to personally monitor issues affecting Sanguem and work towards resolving the constituency’s long-pending grievances.
SATYAWAN GAONKAR CALLS FOR UNITY TO END 26-YEAR POLITICAL DROUGHT
Congress Scheduled Tribe leader Satyawan Gaonkar said Sanguem had not elected a Congress MLA for the past 26 years and stressed the need for party workers and supporters to remain united ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Referring to the massive turnout at the Goy Rakhonn Yatra, Gaonkar said the overwhelming public response would give sleepless nights to local MLA Subhash Phal Dessai.
He accused the BJP of treating the Scheduled Tribe community merely as a vote bank while neglecting its legitimate rights, welfare and development.
SATYAWAN TALWADKAR HIGHLIGHTS PLIGHT OF FARMERS AND MINING-DEPENDENT FAMILIES
Scheduled Tribe leader Satyawan Talwadkar accused the BJP government of pushing several families in Sanguem into financial hardship through the closure of the Sanjivani Sugar Factory and mining operations.
He said farmers, workers and mining-dependent families had suffered enormously because of the loss of their livelihoods, alleging that the government had failed to provide adequate relief or alternative employment opportunities.
Talwadkar expressed confidence that the people of Sanguem would unite to elect a Congress MLA in the 2027 Assembly elections.
AMIT NAIK URGES CONGRESS WORKERS TO REMAIN UNITED
Congress leader Amit Naik expressed confidence that Congress would secure victory in Sanguem in the 2027 Assembly elections.
Recalling the development initiatives undertaken by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and his father, former minister Joaquim Alemao, Naik said their contributions had benefited the people through various development projects and welfare initiatives.
He called upon Congress workers to work together with determination and unity to secure victory in the upcoming Assembly elections.
CHANDA VELIP FLAGS RISING PRICES AND TRIBAL UNEMPLOYMENT
Scheduled Tribe leader Chanda Velip criticised the BJP government over the rising prices of essential commodities, alleging that the increasing cost of living had made it increasingly difficult for ordinary families to make ends meet.
Velip highlighted the hardships faced by dairy farmers in Sanguem and expressed concern over the lack of employment and livelihood opportunities for members of the Scheduled Tribe community.
She alleged that the BJP government had failed to address these pressing issues, leaving farmers, tribal families and economically weaker sections struggling to sustain their livelihoods.
JITENDRA NAIK QUESTIONS DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES AND WATER SCARCITY
Congress leader Jitendra Naik criticised the BJP government for allegedly failing to deliver justice to the people of Sanguem, stating that residents had received only assurances while their long-pending grievances remained unresolved.
He expressed concern over large commercial projects being brought into the constituency, alleging that these developments were contributing to water scarcity and placing additional pressure on local water resources.
Naik called upon the people of Sanguem to remain united and resist divisive politics, stressing that unity was essential to safeguard the constituency’s interests and address its developmental challenges.
DR. SHANKAR NADKARNI CALLS FOR PROTECTION OF GOA’S RESOURCES AND IDENTITY
Dr. Shankar Nadkarni criticised the BJP government for allegedly neglecting the hardships faced by the people of Sanguem, stating that the authorities had shown little concern for their welfare and development.
He alleged that Sanguem’s valuable natural resources, including water and iron ore, had been exploited while local residents continued to be deprived of adequate benefits, livelihood opportunities and development.
Recalling his involvement in Goa’s historic Opinion Poll movement, Nadkarni said he had travelled alongside Dr. Jack Sequeira during the struggle to protect Goa’s distinct identity.
He urged the people of Sanguem to carefully assess the constituency’s present situation, make an informed decision and elect a capable and responsible representative in the next Assembly elections.
The Programme was Compered by Amarnath Panjikar, welcomed by Diago Fernandes and Rajanikant Naik proposed Naik Proposed vote of thanks.
The 22nd day of the Goy Rakhonn Yatra concluded with Congress leaders reiterating their commitment to protecting Goa’s land, forests, water resources and tribal rights. They pledged to prioritise employment, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and transparent governance, expressing confidence that Sanguem would end its 26-year political drought and witness a new chapter of development and political change in 2027.
