Panaji, September 6, 2026: GPCC President Girish Chodankar accused Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant of putting BJP publicity ahead of Goa’s interests by clubbing tomorrow’s Western Zonal Council meeting with the inauguration of the BJP’s new state office.
“The Western Zonal Council is not a BJP stage. Goa needs results, not photographs. Sawant must fight for Goa’s interests, not use the Council for political optics,” Chodankar said.
He demanded that Sawant answer six critical questions on:
* Virdi Dam/Tillari: What is Goa’s official stand on Maharashtra’s revised Virdi DPR?
* Tillari diversion: Has Goa opposed the proposed Tillari-to-Markandeya diversion?
* Maritime Board: Why is comprehensive legislation still pending?
* Fishermen: Why has Goa not sought joint coastal patrols with Maharashtra against mechanised trawler encroachment?
* Borders: Why do mineral-laden heavy vehicles and alleged liquor smuggling continue while ordinary Goans face harassment at check-posts?
* Drugs: Why has Sawant failed to demand coordinated inter-state action with Maharashtra and Gujarat against narcotics trafficking?
“Drugs have moved from schools to homes and now into Goa’s prisons. This is an inter-state crisis requiring inter-state action—not political speeches,” Chodankar said.
He also urged Goa to propose a Maharashtra-Goa-Gujarat coastal tourism circuit at the Council.
“A nameplate cannot substitute for statutory power, and a photo-op cannot substitute for governance. Sawant must return with commitments and timelines—not photographs,” Chodankar said.
The GPCC demanded that the government publish the issues raised, commitments secured and timelines fixed after the meeting.
