Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jun 3: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) drew sharp criticism after a Statehood Day poster released on May 30 failed to include a photo of party national president Mallikarjun Kharge. The BJP accused the Congress of sidelining and disrespecting its Dalit leader.

The poster prominently featured Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Goa Congress chief Amit Patkar, and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao — but conspicuously left out Kharge, triggering political backlash.

The BJP shared the poster on social media, claiming the omission was deliberate and amounted to an insult to Kharge. "Congress has humiliated its Dalit president," the Goa BJP wrote, calling it a sign of internal bias.

Kharge was scheduled to address a public meeting in Navelim, South Goa, but the event was cancelled due to heavy rains. Reacting to the controversy, GPCC chief Amit Patkar termed the omission an “unintentional error” and clarified that Kharge’s image was featured on other posters displayed across the state.

The controversy has sparked debate over representation and sensitivity within party ranks as political temperatures rise ahead of key state-level events.