Nuvem Congress workers welcome Rahul Gandhi’s vehicle by showering flower petals. Pics: Santosh Mirajkar
Rahul Gandhi at the Margao Cricket Club, Margao at the concluding programme of the Goy Rakhonn Yatra on Sunday.
MARGAO
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi received a rousing welcome from thousands of party workers and supporters at Daivadnya Junction in Margao before joining the Goy Rakhonn Yatra and proceeding to the Margao Cricket Club (MCC) ground, where he addressed an enthusiastic gathering.
Security personnel had a tough time controlling the surging crowds as Congress workers jostled to catch a glimpse of Gandhi after he arrived at Daivadnya Junction from Dabolim airport. Even before his arrival, the junction was teeming with Congress leaders and workers from Navelim, Margao and other constituencies, all eager to accompany him on his walk to the MCC ground.
Along the half-kilometre stretch, Gandhi waved to the crowds gathered along the route, acknowledging supporters who had lined the streets as well as those watching from the balconies of nearby buildings.
At the MCC ground, Gandhi did not disappoint his ardent supporters, who responded enthusiastically as he spoke at length about alleged “vote chori” (vote theft).
Gandhi’s visit brought back memories of his earlier trip to Margao nearly a decade ago, ahead of the 2017 Assembly elections, when he addressed a massive public meeting at the SAG grounds in Fatorda.
This time, his arrival at the MCC ground in south Margao generated considerable excitement among Congress workers and supporters as the party steps up its preparations for the 2027 Assembly elections.
Among the prominent leaders present on the dais were Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief Girish Chodankar; Leader of the Opposition and Congress working president Altone D’Costa; South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes; former MP Francisco Sardinha; former GPCC chief Amit Patkar; Goa Congress desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare; party secretary Anjali Nimbalkar; working presidents M K Sheikh and Sunil Kawthankar; Youth Congress president Archit Naik; and former Union minister Ramakant Khalap.
Meanwhile, Congress workers from the Nuvem constituency, led by the block leadership and party general secretary Everson Vales, accorded Gandhi a floral welcome as his vehicle passed through Nuvem on its way to Margao.
As the vehicle slowed down, party workers showered it with flower petals and extended their greetings to the Congress leader before he continued towards Margao for the public meeting.
