At Congress Goa march, voters’ message: ‘Set aside egos, unite against BJP’

As Congress supporters gathered in Aldona for the "Goy Rakhonn Yatra" (Save Goa March), a clear message emerged: the Opposition must put aside personal differences and unite against the BJP. Arthur D'Mello, a resident of Moira, urged all Opposition parties to work together to fight against the BJP and save Goa. The 27-day march, which started on Wednesday, aims to cover all 40 Assembly constituencies in the state.

The yatra is being promoted by the Congress as a campaign against the BJP's "misrule" and highlights issues such as land conversion, unemployment, and environmental degradation. Earlier this month, the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) formed an alliance for the Assembly elections under the "Goa First" banner. The Congress has also announced an "in-principle understanding" with the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP) to contest the elections together.

Voter Eusebio D'sa expressed frustration over the situation, noting the anti-incumbency sentiment, unemployment, and land conversions. He lamented that people in Goa were selling their land to outsiders due to a lack of alternatives, with vast tracts of land being converted under controversial legislation. D'Mello emphasized the need for anti-defection laws to be strengthened, stating that legislators should not be allowed to switch sides overnight as it undermines the mandate given to them by the people.

Carlos Ferreira, the Congress MLA from Aldona, framed the election as a contest over the future of Goa's land and environment. He criticized the BJP's 15 years in power, stating that the state's ecology is being destroyed, hills are being cut, and the government is merely looting and selling Goa. Ferreira also highlighted the Congress' intention to scrap Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, which allows changes to land zoning and regional plans at the direction of the government, arguing that it undermines the state's planning framework and protections for ecologically sensitive areas.