SHIRODA: The Congress’ Goy Rakhonn Yatra entered Shiroda on Sunday, with senior party leaders criticising the BJP government over land protection, unemployment, infrastructure and the Mhadei river dispute.
The 13th day of the statewide campaign, covering all 40 Assembly constituencies, saw the participation of AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakre, GPCC president Girish Chodankar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Maharashtra Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam and other party leaders. Before the yatra began, leaders offered prayers at the Bageshwar Prasann Temple.
Chodankar alleged that political intimidation was prevailing in parts of Shiroda and claimed that Congress campaign posters had been torn down. He said such incidents would not stop the party from raising public concerns.
Addressing the gathering, Alemao highlighted complaints about poor roads, inadequate playgrounds, water shortages and pending pipeline work. He accused the BJP government of failing to protect Goa’s hills, agricultural fields, rivers and khazan lands, while raising concerns over the Borim khazan land issue and the proposed IIT project.
Alemao also questioned recurring flooding and the rising cost of the Borim bridge project. On Mhadei, he warned against diverting the river and alleged that the government had failed to withdraw the Detailed Project Report (DPR).
On land protection, Alemao reiterated the Congress’ promise to scrap Section 39A if voted to power. He also pledged 80% job reservation for Goans, alleging that limited employment opportunities were forcing local youth to seek work outside the state.
Maharashtra Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam claimed that people across Goa were expressing dissatisfaction with the BJP government. He raised concerns over law and order, land conversions and unemployment, questioning whether the state’s economic growth was translating into jobs for young people.
AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakre called for an end to what he described as an atmosphere of fear in Shiroda. He urged voters to defeat the sitting MLA, accusing him of betraying the people’s mandate. Thakre also alleged voter-list manipulation and praised Rahul Gandhi for raising concerns over electoral practices under the slogan “Vote Chori”.
Shiroda, represented by former Congress leader Subhash Shirodkar, who later joined the BJP, is among the constituencies the Congress is seeking to regain ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Several senior Congress leaders and party workers participated in the yatra, which the party said would continue to highlight issues concerning Goa’s land, environment, identity and livelihoods.
