Fatorda/Cuncolim, October 11, 2026: Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy expressed strong confidence that “winds of change have begun to blow in Goa.” Thousands of citizens participated in the Goy Rakhon Yatra as it passed through the Quepem and Cuncolim constituencies on Sunday. Referring to the political situation that emerged in Telangana ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, Reddy expressed confidence that a similar change of government could take place in Goa. He also urged Congress leaders and workers to prepare from now for the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
The march began at Fatorda in the Quepem constituency and concluded at the Cuncolim bus stand. Thousands of citizens walked alongside Congress leaders, extending an enthusiastic response to the yatra. Through this march, the Congress sought to highlight serious issues concerning Goa's land, identity, culture, environment, unemployment, corruption, alleged irregularities in recruitment and the growing drug menace.
Addressing the gathering, Revanth Reddy appealed to Goans to protect their land and future. He warned that Goa's natural resources and environment would be at risk if the BJP returned to power. He criticised the BJP government over unemployment among Goan youth, alleging that the drug trade was tarnishing Goa's image and endangering the future of the younger generation.
Referring to Telangana's ‘EAGLE’ task force, established to combat the drug trade, he questioned why the BJP leadership had not taken concrete steps to initiate similarly stringent action against drugs in Goa.
Reddy also expressed concern over the alleged growing influence of land, property and drug mafias. He criticised the BJP government, alleging that it prioritised the interests of the wealthy and powerful over those of the poor, Dalits, Other Backward Classes and tribal communities. Referring to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as “Property Sawant”, he accused the government of failing to protect Goa's land and the interests of its people.
Speaking about the role of democratic institutions, Reddy criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over what he described as a worrying situation concerning the Constitution. Referring to alleged instances of names being deleted from electoral rolls, he questioned the role of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He praised Rahul Gandhi for fighting for the concerns of the country's youth. Reddy said the Congress party remained committed to unity and social justice, while accusing the BJP of dividing society along linguistic, regional and religious lines.
Warning voters that a division of votes among opposition parties could benefit the BJP, Reddy urged them to remain vigilant. He called upon Congress workers to accelerate their preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections, expressing confidence that Goa would witness political change similar to Telangana.
Manikrao Thakare Says Yatra Aims to Highlight Goa's Pressing Issues
All India Congress Committee Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare said the objective of the Goy Rakhon Yatra was to bring Goa's pressing issues before the public and hold the government accountable for addressing them.
He stated that the Congress had consistently raised serious concerns, including unemployment, corruption and the alleged “cash-for-jobs” scandal.
“Today, with the blessings of the people of Goa, we are in a position not merely to fight the BJP but to defeat this government,” Thakare said.
Accusing the BJP of splitting other political parties to serve its political interests, he asserted that the Congress would continue its struggle to protect Goa and the interests of Goans.
Yuri Alemao Condemns Police Action at Balli
Leader of Opposition and Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao condemned the police action at Balli.
He alleged that roadblocks during the yatra caused inconvenience to poor citizens and members of the Bahujan community. Expressing concern over the detention of young protesters, he also raised questions about the law-and-order situation in Goa.
Recalling the Congress party's contribution to Goa's history, Alemao highlighted its role in the Konkani language movement, the Opinion Poll and Goa's attainment of full statehood. He also acknowledged the contributions of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi to Goa.
Alemao accused Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Minister Vishwajit Rane and other ministers of acting against Goa's interests. Expressing concern over the large-scale sale of land in the state, he also raised issues concerning rising incidents of murder and rape, along with the safety and security of citizens.
Describing the Goy Rakhon Yatra as the beginning of the end for the BJP government, Alemao expressed confidence that the Congress would return to power in 2027.
He reiterated the Congress party's commitment to resolving Goa's problems and referred to Rahul Gandhi's ongoing struggle for the country. He appealed to all Goans to unite in protecting the state's future.
Elton D'Cruz Says Goy Rakhon Yatra Has Become a People's Movement
Quepem MLA and Goa Congress working president Elton D'Cruz said the Goy Rakhon Yatra had now evolved into a people's movement.
He observed that Goans were coming forward in large numbers to protect their land, identity and future. He described the guidance of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy as important for Congress workers in Goa.
D'Cruz also alleged that roadblocks during the march had caused difficulties for participants, forcing them to take longer routes.
He expressed confidence that the Congress would continue its struggle with the support of the people and form the government in Goa in 2027.
Senior Congress Leaders Participate in the Yatra
The march was attended by Telangana Chief Minister Anumula Revanth Reddy; All India Congress Committee Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare; co-in-charge Dr Anjali Nimbalkar; Goa Pradesh Congress Committee president Girish Chodankar; Leader of Opposition and Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao; Congress working president and Quepem MLA Elton D'Cruz; former MP Francisco Sardinha; Telangana MP Kiran Kumar Reddy; working president Sunil Kawthankar; working president M. K. Shaikh; Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress president Dr Pratiksha Kholap; Goa Pradesh Youth Congress president Archit Naik; Media and Publicity Department chairman Amarnath Panjikar; Social Media Department chairman Himanshu Tivrekar; South Goa district president Azeez Noronha; Kushavati district president Rajesh Verenkar; and Mhadei chairman Mangaldas Naik, along with several other Congress leaders, office-bearers and workers.
The enthusiastic participation in Quepem and Cuncolim provided further momentum to the Goy Rakhon Yatra.
Congress leaders reiterated their determination to protect Goa's land, identity, culture and environment, create greater employment opportunities for local youth, take stringent action against corruption and safeguard the future of coming generations.
The programme was compered by Amarnath Panjikar, while Azeez Noronha welcomed the gathering.
Congress leaders appealed to the people of Goa to actively participate in the democratic process and work collectively to bring about the desired change in the 2027 Goa Assembly elections and safeguard the state's future.
