Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 30: The Goa Congress staged a protest and a public meeting at Azad Maidan as part of its Samvidhan Bachao Abhiyan (save the constitution campaign), drawing a large crowd of workers and supporters. The protest, led by top party leaders, focused on rising crime, unemployment, and what they claimed was the erosion of constitutional rights under the BJP regime.

Manikrao Thakre, general secretary, Anjali Nimbalkar, Congress secretary, and other key leaders, including leader of the opposition Yuri Alemao, South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes, and state Congress president Amit Patkar, addressed the gathering. Thakre condemned the BJP for allegedly attempting to divide the country along religious lines for political gain.

"The BJP government is dividing the nation for power. The Constitution is under threat, and it is the duty of every citizen to protect it," Thakre said.

The Congress had initially planned a march from Divja Circle to Azad Maidan, but the administration denied permission. Instead, a public meeting was held at Azad Maidan, followed by a march around the area.

On the Pahalgam terror attack, Thakre condemned the violence but criticized the attempts to use the incident to further divide the country. Nimbalkar added, "Terrorism has no religion, and those who support it are traitors."

Alemao, meanwhile, took aim at the state government’s claims of creating thousands of jobs, stating, "Only six Goans have secured jobs in the central government in the last six years. Goa has the third-highest unemployment rate in India." He also highlighted rising land prices due to external buyers and urged for the removal of the BJP to protect Goa's future.

Amit Patkar also condemned inflammatory statements made by the Bajrang Dal chief following the terror attack, calling for action against those inciting violence.

The Congress rally in Panaji marks another chapter in the party's ongoing campaign against the BJP’s policies and governance.