CANACONA
The Goa Forward Party (GFP), Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) and the Aam Admi Party (AAP) have demanded the exclusion of Canacona from the newly created Kushavati district, insisting that it would pose severe inconveniences to the people of Canacona.
Former minister and GFP leader Isidore Fernandes refused to accept the explanations given by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and the BJP that the Kushavati district would provide multiple benefits to the people of Canacona.
“If the government was really serious about facilitating better and closer administration for the people of Canacona, there would have been better planning for the third district. The inclusion of Canacona in Kushavati district was not a necessity at all,” said Fernandes.
AAP General Secretary (Campaign) Sandesh Telekar claimed that while the formation of a third district was acceptable, the inclusion of Canacona taluka in this district was geographically incorrect.
“The division of the three districts – North, South and Kushavati – could have been done in a better manner. How can the government take decisions without taking people into confidence?” asked Telekar.
“Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s claim that people from Canacona can reach Quepem within half an hour is impractical. I invite the CM for a drive with me to verify his claim. It is next to impossible to reach Quepem in half an hour.”
“The CM also said a four-lane road will be built between Canacona and Quepem. Everyone, including the CM, knows no road can be built overnight or even within a year or two. However, the government wants the third district to function immediately. While we want administration to be easier and accessible to the people, it has to be done properly and by taking people into confidence,” Telekar added.
RGP leader Prashant Pagi said the people of Canacona had been opposed to the inclusion of Canacona in the third district.
“When this issue was being discussed about eight months ago, the Gram Sabha of Loliem-Polem had passed a resolution on August 3, 2025 opposing the inclusion of Canacona taluka in the third district,” recalled Pagi.
“Newly elected BJP’s Poinguinim ZP member Ajay Lolienkar, who was a panch in Loliem-Polem VP at the time, was also party to the resolution. Let Lolienkar clarify his position now or get a resolution passed in the Gram Sabha favouring the inclusion of Canacona in Kushavati district.”
“People who are already burdened will be highly inconvenienced. I appeal to people to seek clarity from the MLA, sarpanchas and even panch members propagating the BJP’s ideology on whether the inclusion of Canacona in Kushavati district was a correct decision or not. People should voice their resentment by passing resolutions in their respective Gram Sabhas.”
