PANAJI
The agitation by Karapur Sarvan villagers against the Lodha mega project gained momentum on Sunday as top Opposition leaders streamed into Azad Maidan to extend support. Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Goa Forward Party (GFP) leaders joined the protesters, who have been on the streets for 127 days demanding scrapping of the project enabled by the controversial Section 39A. Social activist Rama Kankonkar also stood with the villagers.
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi Opposition Leader Atishi, Valmiki Naik and CCP councillor Jack Sukhija interacted with the protesters at the iconic maidan. Soon after, Aldona MLA Carlos Alvares Fereira and other Congress leaders arrived, voicing solidarity with the villagers. GFP president Vijai Sardesai followed with his party colleagues, adding weight to the cross party support.
The villagers have consistently opposed the project promoted by a real estate giant, alleging it threatens local resources and livelihoods. Their sit in at Azad Maidan marked another milestone in a protest that has become one of Goa’s longest sustained grassroots agitations.
With Opposition leaders rallying behind them, the Karapur villagers’ campaign has acquired sharper political resonance. The show of unity at Azad Maidan signalled that the agitation is no longer a local struggle alone but a wider challenge to government policies on land and development.
