THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
In a major political jolt to the ruling party in Mormugao, former Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson Leo Rodrigues and former vice-chairperson Ramchandra Kamat—both long-standing BJP supporters and close associates of former minister Milind Naik—publicly extended support to the Congress party’s Goy Rakhonn Yatra at Chicalim on Friday evening.
Arriving at the rally in Chiaclim to witness the public turnout, the two veteran politicians slammed the current state leadership, declaring that a change in government is the need of the hour and urging citizens to vote the BJP out of power.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Yatra, Rodrigues, a 20-year BJP loyalist, expressed deep disillusionment with the party's governance over the past 15 years. He stated that the Goy Rakhonn Yatra has successfully resonated with the public mood, calling its theme against the exploitation of Goa both apt and timely.
"I have been a staunch supporter and member of the BJP for two decades. Back when Congress was in power, I genuinely believed the BJP would bring positive change. However, over the last 15 years, the BJP has gone from bad to worse. Under Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and TCP Minister Vishwajit Rane, the administration has completely ruined Goa, making this the worst state leadership to date. Frustrated and angry citizens are now taking to the streets. It is time for the people to step up, get rid of this government, and elect a good, responsive administration," Rodrigues said.
Echoing similar sentiments, former MMC vice-chairperson Ramchandra Kamat emphasised that public outrage against the ruling dispensation has reached a breaking point, adding that he had no hesitation in walking alongside the people in protest.
"People are frustrated to the core because the government has pushed things to the extreme under the guise of development. While I still respect the central leadership, the local BJP leaders in Goa urgently need to be sent home. A change in governance is critical right now. The BJP functions best when it is in the opposition, so the electorate should give them a well-deserved five-year rest," Kamat remarked.
