MARGAO
There were no saffron flags fluttering around the Margao railway station and no chants of “Bharat Mata ki jai” or “Vande Mataram” when Goa BJP president Damu Naik flagged off a chartered train carrying around 1,300 pilgrims to Velankanni on Friday in the presence of BJP leaders, including PWD Minister Digambar Kamat, Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar, party ST leader Anthony Barbosa and others.
Instead, a Catholic priest, Fr Dylon D’Costa, recited prayers seeking the Almighty’s blessings for the success of the pilgrimage as the devotees embarked on their journey to attend the Madi and Novenas of Our Lady of Velankanni.
Naik said he decided to charter the train after hearing about the difficulties faced by pilgrims, particularly those from his home constituency of Fatorda, in travelling to Velankanni as regular trains were running at full capacity.
He said he only hoped for the blessings of the people in return, recalling that their support had kept him in good stead in Fatorda over the past two decades, irrespective of electoral victories or defeats.
Fatorda comeback buzz
Of the 1,300 pilgrims travelling on the chartered train, 816 are from Fatorda, indicating the extensive groundwork undertaken by Naik and his team to facilitate the pilgrimage.
The initiative has also fuelled speculation among political observers that Naik is preparing for a return to electoral politics from Fatorda in the 2027 Assembly elections.
The chartered train comes with a host of facilities, including complimentary meals throughout the journey, dedicated rail hostesses, an onboard medical team and doctors, housekeeping staff, trained volunteers and Railway Police Force security. Pilgrims are also provided with welcome travel kits, along with transportation and accommodation arrangements at Velankanni.
Naik said accommodation had been arranged in a tented facility spread across a large ground, with sanitation and other amenities for the pilgrims.
Groundwork for 2027
While Naik stopped short of formally announcing his political comeback plans, he sent out a strong political message at the Margao railway station, declaring that the “lotus will also bloom in Fatorda in 2027.”
“If I have survived in politics despite electoral defeats, it is because of the blessings of the people of Fatorda. I have never shut my doors to any community. During my political career, I have managed to provide 594 jobs, bringing smiles to the faces of families,” he said.
Naik later told the media that he could not ignore Fatorda even though he is not currently the MLA representing the constituency. “Fatorda will be among the 30 Assembly constituencies that will give victory to the BJP in 2027,” he said.
Claiming that he had never betrayed the people of Fatorda, Naik said he had remained committed to the constituency.
“I have never betrayed the people of Fatorda. I have not changed zones or open spaces. People of Fatorda have now realised that it is time to bring about a change. I have never done cosmetic development, but human development by providing jobs,” he said.
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Kamat lauds Damu gesture, highlights Velankanni’s cross-community appeal
“Many Hindu brothers and sisters also go to Velankanni to seek favours or to offer thanksgiving. Not only Catholics, but people from all communities believe in Our Lady of Velankanni,” he said, while addressing the pilgrims heading to Velankanni at the Margao railway station.
“Damu Naik indeed deserves praise for his initiative. His charter train has provided pilgrims from Fatorda, Margao, Navelim and Curtorim with a dedicated train facility. I compliment him for his bold decision despite the huge requirement of money and management. This is not a joke. Mother Velankanni will shower her blessings on him,” he added.
