PANAJI: Congress Media and Communication Department chairman and MP Pawan Khera on Monday accused the Goa government of failing the state’s youth, weakening environmental protections and allowing the deterioration of law and order, as he addressed the ongoing Congress Goy Rakhonn Yatra.
Khera also hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party over its criticism of Congress on defections, after AAP Goa president Valmiki Naik questioned Congress over the issue. “The party that has seen six or seven MPs leave and go in the Rajya Sabha is lecturing us about defections. What remarkable people they are. I used to think the Modi-led party was shameless, but AAP has turned out to be twice as shameless,” Khera said. At the same time, Khera backed the broader idea of Opposition unity in Goa, saying Congress agreed that there should be a grand alliance and that the party would listen to the people on the issue.
Turning to the state’s governance, Khera said a review of Goa’s “balance sheet” over the last 15 years showed that the government had taken away more from the state than it had given. “Whenever we elect a government, we do so with the expectation that it will do good for the citizens and the state. Before elections, we open the account books and inspect the balance sheet. If we look at Goa’s balance sheet over the last 15 years, far from giving anything, this government has looted and snatched away so much from Goa,” he said.
Khera linked the alleged failures in governance to Goa’s environment and tourism economy, saying the state’s forests, rivers and coastline were its biggest assets. “Goa’s beauty lies in its forests, ocean and rivers. Above all are Goa’s wonderful people. When you snatch away their forests and pollute their rivers and oceans to the extent that fecal contamination is 300% above acceptable limits, how will tourism survive? How will citizens carry on their lives, jobs or businesses?” he asked. Khera claimed Goa’s forest cover had declined by 11% and alleged that regional plans had been altered three times without adequate public consultation.
He then questioned the government over employment, recalling the BJP’s 2012 manifesto promise of an unemployment allowance. “Today in 2026, while national unemployment sits around 3%, Goa’s unemployment exceeds 8%,” Khera said, putting the state’s unemployment rate at around 8.5%. He alleged that despite Goa having an educated and capable workforce, local youth were being denied opportunities. “Goa’s youth are fully educated and capable like Kerala, yet you stripped away their opportunities and handed them to businessmen from outside,” he alleged.
Khera also accused the government of failing to tackle drug abuse. He said that while the government had restrictions on the sale of drugs within 500 metres of schools, it had failed to address what happened beyond that radius. “If you ask anyone here, they will demand a Drug-Free Goa. However, this government only dictates that drugs should not be sold within 500 metres of schools, unconcerned about what happens beyond that,” he said. “What they gave Goa in 15 years is ‘Dial-a-Drug’ accessibility,” Khera alleged. He also accused the government of allowing unregulated casinos and alleged that hawala channels were being used to fund political activities.
Turning to the electoral rolls, Khera criticised the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), alleging that it threatened voters’ rights. “Your vote is your shield and sword to protect yourself and challenge bad governance. Yet, through SIR, a conspiracy was hatched to snatch your vote, deleting 1,27,468 votes from the 2026 voter list in Goa,” he alleged. He also referred to concerns raised within the Election Commission and observations by the Supreme Court on electoral roll modifications and transparency surrounding Form 6.
Khera further attacked the government over law and order, saying the BJP’s claim of a “triple-engine government” had not translated into better governance. “Law and order in Goa has collapsed with rising rates of murder, rape, kidnapping and burglary,” he alleged.
When asked about allegations of ticket selling within Congress, Khera challenged those making the claims to provide concrete evidence rather than relying on unverified allegations. On opposition alliances, Khera expressed confidence that Congress would secure a clear mandate, while saying any broader opposition alliance should reflect the wishes of the people and work towards replacing the present government.
AICC secretary and Goa co-in-charge Anjali Nimbalkar said the Goy Rakhonn Yatra had completed 13 days in North Goa before entering the South. “We really did not expect to receive this much support in the North District,” she said, adding that women had participated in large numbers and felt safe walking with the Yatra. Nimbalkar said the campaign had received strong public support, with Maharashtra Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam joining the Yatra after it entered South Goa and Khera participating in Monday’s programme.
Khera described the campaign as a “Goa Model”, saying leaders including senior Congress leaders Sachin Pilot and K C Venugopal had praised the initiative. He also urged the media to continue holding the government accountable, saying it was necessary “to save Goa, the Constitution and democracy.”
