A large gathering of Congress workers and supporters at the Goy Rakhonn Yatra in Sanguem.
SANGUEM
Congress leaders claimed that Sanguem had not witnessed meaningful development despite the party being out of power in the constituency for the past 25 years.
They were addressing a largely attended gathering at the Sanguem bus stand on Thursday as part of the Goy Rakhonn Yatra.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao recalled the work undertaken for the people of Sanguem during the 2012 election period and cited several development initiatives.
He alleged that politics of vendetta began thereafter, with Congress workers being systematically targeted and harassed.
Despite five years having passed, the constituency had not witnessed the development it deserved, as the government had spent its time pursuing political revenge, he charged.
He appealed to Congress workers to remain united and ensure that the party retained the Sanguem seat.
GPCC president Girish Chodankar said there had initially been apprehensions about whether people would participate in the yatra due to an atmosphere of intimidation in Sanguem.
However, he congratulated the people for turning out in large numbers to bring about change.
Pointing out the irony that Sanguem supplied water to other parts of Goa while its own people continued to face shortages, Chodankar questioned whether the constituency had witnessed meaningful development during the past 25 years.
AICC Goa Desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare said the large turnout had sent a clear message across Goa that change was imminent in Sanguem. He appealed to people to support the Congress in addressing the constituency’s problems and promoting development, while highlighting several issues affecting the region.
Local leaders Jeetendra Naik, Diogo Fernandes, Satyavan Gaonkar, Satyavan Talvadkar and Amit Naik also addressed the gathering.
AICC co-in-charge Dr Anjali Nimbalkar, Rajesh Verekar, Jana Bhandari, Pratiksha Khalap, Sunil Kavthankar and Amarnath Panjikar were among the leaders who participated in the yatra.
