The rally began at the KTC bus stand, proceeded to Patnem via Palolem-Ourem-Tembewada, Colomb and Ponsulem, and culminated near Ravindra Bhavan at Chaudi.
CANACONA
The Congress party highlighted Canacona’s problems during its ‘Goy Rakhon Yatra’ on Wednesday, accusing the BJP government of corruption, misuse of tribal welfare funds, denial of forest rights and neglect of infrastructure.
The rally began at the KTC bus stand, proceeded to Patnem via Palolem-Ourem-Tembewada, Colomb and Ponsulem, and culminated near Ravindra Bhavan at Chaudi. A large police force managed traffic and crowds. Congress leaders expressed confidence of forming the government in 2027 and pledged to address water scarcity, inadequate healthcare, power supply issues, unemployment and tribal welfare. Addressing a large gathering, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao accused Tribal Welfare Minister and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar of non-performance despite holding senior government positions. He said forest rights claims involving over 2,000 Scheduled Tribe (ST) members remained pending and accused the BJP’s ‘double-engine’ government of delaying political reservation for the community.
He alleged that kidney ailments were more prevalent in Canacona than elsewhere in the State and that the lack of an adequate dialysis facility forced renal failure patients to travel to Margao and Bambolim. He promised a dedicated dialysis unit if Congress formed the next government.
Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari accused Tawadkar of failing to ensure water supply from the Gaunem dam, completed over a decade ago, or adequately address Canacona’s concerns. Other speakers included AICC Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare, GPCC president Guirish Chodankar, working president and Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, Chetan Desai and Daya Gaonkar.
