MARGAO
After Benaulim, the Goy Rakhonn Yatra made a grand entry into Nuvem, a traditional Congress stronghold, as the rally wound its way from Agnel Ashram in Verna to Nuvem before proceeding towards neighbouring Fatorda.
Thousands of party workers and supporters joined the yatra to express their solidarity with the Congress campaign to “save Goa from further destruction”.
Party flags fluttered along the route as Congress leaders, led by GPCC president Girish Chodankar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare, party observer Alka Lamba, party working presidents, MLA Alton D’Costa and Sunil Kawthankar and others walked alongside the rally. The leaders waved to people lining the roadside and appealed for their support for the Goy Rakhon campaign.
The impressive turnout appeared to please the party leadership. However, it also raised eyebrows within Congress circles, with some observers viewing the mobilisation as more than just support for the yatra. The manner in which different leaders brought their supporters to various points along the route was seen by some as an attempt to demonstrate their individual strength and make a point to the party leadership.
Yatra or a show of strength by
Congress leaders and well-wishers?
As the Goy Rakhon Yatra rolled into Nuvem on Wednesday evening, one aspect that did not escape the attention of party workers and political observers was the manner in which different leaders mobilised their supporters before joining the main rally.
GPCC general secretary Everson Vales and the Nuvem Block Congress Committee mobilised workers at the starting point of the rally near Agnel Ashram. Party leader Pausilipo Dourado and his band of supporters, meanwhile, joined the yatra at Nuvem.
But the biggest show of strength came at the Goa Rajee traffic junction, where social worker Lyndon Monteiro, who is yet to formally join the Congress, had mobilised a sizeable crowd of supporters.
Wearing T-shirts carrying the message “Together for Nuvem” Monteiro and his supporters waited at the traffic junction to welcome the yatra.
When the rally reached the junction, Monteiro welcomed the Congress leaders with flower garlands before joining the procession as it proceeded towards Fatorda.
The presence of three distinct groups of Congress workers and supporters — at Agnel Ashram, Nuvem and the Goa Rajee traffic junction — mobilised by different leaders, prompted political observers to wonder whether the exercise was primarily about supporting the Goy Rakhonn Yatra or showcasing the individual strength of leaders who may have their eyes on the Congress ticket in the constituency.
Lyndon, however, told the media that the mobilisation of supporters at the Goa Rajyee junction is not an attempt to show his strength, but to welcome the Congress rally. “When Congress leaders Girish Chodankar and Yuri Alemao gave a call to the people to join the rally, I and my supporters decided to welcome the rally in Nuvem. We all decided to assemble at the Goa Rajee traffic junction to welcome the rally since it would be difficult for many to walk a long distance”, he said.
Saying that people of Nuvem want him to contest the upcoming Assembly election from Nuvem, further saying that he would contest the polls on a political party, Lyndon said “Today, we have only come to welcome the rally and not to talk about politics”.
Pausilipo Dourado also denied any groupism in the Congress, saying he and his supporters decided to welcome the rally at Nuvem. “Since my supporters said they will welcome the rally at Nuvem, we made arrangements to protect them from the sun with a pandal. Together we will welcome the yatra in Nuvem”, he added.
