MARGAO
Cautioning non-BJP voters against what he described as the BJP’s “covert and overt” attempts to divide the opposition vote, Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar on Thursday urged Goans to introspect on a critical question: How does the BJP continue to return to power when, according to him, nearly 70 per cent of Goans vote against the party?
Speaking at a Konkani Day celebration organised by the Global Romi Lipi Abhiyan (GRLA) at Gomant Vidya Niketan, Chodankar attributed the BJP’s electoral victories to the division of the non-BJP vote, alleging that two or three new political parties emerge ahead of every election and split the opposition vote, thereby facilitating the BJP’s return to power.
“We admit that the BJP returned to power in 2012 because of mistakes made by the Congress government. But in 2017 and 2022, the BJP returned to power despite a majority of Goans voting against the party. This is because the non-BJP vote gets divided among many parties, including two or three new parties that emerge on the eve of elections,” he said.
Chodankar also accused the BJP of attempting to disturb Goa’s secular fabric and referred to what he described as attacks on the State’s patron saint, St Francis Xavier, during the BJP’s tenure.
“When the BJP cannot divide the people, they support new parties by arranging Rs 100 crore. We have to be cautious,” he warned.
Chodankar also assured advocates of Konkani in the Roman script that the Congress would pursue their demands, including the introduction of Romi Konkani in schools.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said the Congress had moved a resolution in the Assembly seeking the introduction of Romi Konkani in schools, but alleged that the move was thwarted by the ruling BJP.
Making a fervent appeal to voters to bring the Congress back to power in 2027, Alemao said defeating the BJP was necessary to protect the interests of future generations. “In the name of bringing a change, the BJP has fooled the people of Goa. We all have to unite to save Goa for posterity,” he said.
Congress leader Sidhanath Buyao also stressed the need for a change in government in 2027 to “save Goa from destruction”. He too cautioned voters against what he alleged was BJP funding of new political parties to divide the non-BJP vote.
Noted Goan singer Hema Sardesai said the government should support Konkani as a whole and focus on the script issue as part of efforts to strengthen the language.
