PANAJI: AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday promised a “Nashamukt Goa”, employment for youth, support for traditional businesses and protection of the State’s land, forests, water and natural resources if Congress is voted to power in Goa.
Addressing the Congress convention of Booth Level Agents (BLAs) and booth workers in Goa, Kharge said a Congress government would tackle the drug problem, create jobs, reduce inflation, improve women’s safety and protect Goa’s environment. “Goem vikpak divche na, BJPk jikpak divche na,” Kharge said, asserting that Congress would work for Goa’s development if voted to power.
“If my government, a Congress government, comes to power, I will implement prohibition. We will not let this happen. I will save the land, I will save the forest. I will provide jobs to the students and the youth. This is my promise. This is my party’s promise,” he said.
Kharge repeatedly stressed the need for unity within Congress ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections and accused the BJP of attempting to divide the party. “Unity mein hi sab kuch hai. There can be diversity, but unity is very important,” he said, urging workers to protect the Constitution, the party’s ideology and Goa’s interests. He challenged Congress workers to work booth-wise and said the party would aim to win twice the number of seats it secured in 2022. “You secretly took away our MLAs. We will get double the number elected and bring them back,” he said.
He urged workers to take the party’s message directly to voters, saying, “You promised to go booth-wise. You promised to go door-to-door. You promised to go person-to-person.” Kharge said the fight to protect Goa was ultimately a fight for future generations. “What will I get? I will die in 15-20 years. It is all your fight. I am fighting your fight,” he said.
Kharge accused the BJP-led government of failing to protect Goa’s land and alleged that wealthy outsiders were buying property in the State. “We have space for those tourists who protect the culture of Goa,” he said, while opposing indiscriminate land purchases and development. He warned that Goa’s land, water, forests and air needed to be protected, while also raising concerns over unemployment and alleging that powerful business interests were gaining control over major economic assets. “Are you getting employment? Why are you not getting it?” he asked.
The Congress chief also attacked the BJP over defections in Goa, accusing it of forming the government by taking away Congress MLAs. “This is a government of thieves,” he said, referring to the defections, before urging voters to support Congress.
Kharge recalled Congress’ historical role in Goa, citing the formation of the Goa Congress Committee in Mumbai in 1928 under Dr TB Cunha and the party’s contribution to the liberation movement. Recalling his student days during the 1961 liberation movement, he said Congress workers and students had participated in processions and protests demanding Goa’s liberation. He also credited Congress governments with building schools, colleges, hospitals, roads and Goa University. “We gave roads, gave water, gave the university, gave schools, gave colleges,” he said.
Kharge strongly criticised the BJP and RSS over their role in India’s freedom struggle and questioned their claims of patriotism. “Which BJP man fought for the independence of this country? Which RSS man fought for the independence of this country?” he asked. Defending Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, he said their contribution to the freedom struggle could not be matched. “Nehru ji remained in jail for 14 years. Mahatma Gandhiji sacrificed his entire life and fought for the independence of the country,” he said.
He accused the BJP of dividing people along religious and social lines, saying patriotism should mean unity, secularism and working together. “If you were patriots, you would talk about unity. If you were patriots, you would talk about moving forward together. If you were patriots, you would talk about secularism,” Kharge said.
Referring to the black flags displayed by BJP workers during his arrival in Goa, Kharge took a swipe at the RSS and its black cap. “First show black flags to your own people because they have the black RSS cap on their heads,” he said.
Kharge said Congress would fight to protect Goa’s environment and forests while creating opportunities for its youth. “The environment here has to be saved. The forest here has to be saved. And our children here, the youth, should be taken out of unemployment and given employment,” he said.
Concluding his address, Kharge urged Congress workers to stand alongside the party and actively campaign among the people. “I don’t need people ahead or behind, I need people who stay with me,” he said, adding that Congress would fulfil its promises if voted to power.
