GOY RAKHONN YATRA GETS MASSIVE RESPONSE IN MAPUSA ON DAY 7

MAPUSA, SEPTEMBER 28, 2026: The Congress-led Goy Rakhonn Yatra received a massive public response in Mapusa on its seventh day, with thousands of people joining Congress leaders and workers in the march and taking a collective pledge to protect Goa’s land, identity, culture, environment and future generations.

As the Yatra entered Mapusa, the commercial hub of North Goa, Congress leaders said the enthusiastic participation reflected growing public concern over governance, unemployment, corruption, law and order and the alleged neglect of Goa’s interests.

Participants pledged to remain united in safeguarding Goa and to work towards bringing about political change in the 2027 Assembly elections.

Addressing the gathering, AICC Goa In-charge Manickrao Thakare, AICC Co-In-charge Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar, GPCC President Girish Chodankar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao and GPCC Working President and Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, along with local Congress leaders, raised issues relating to development, employment, law and order, corruption and the protection of Goa’s identity.

“Mapusa neglected for 27 years”: Yuri Alemao

Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said Mapusa had not witnessed the level of development expected of a major commercial centre despite being represented by the same political family for nearly 27 years.

“People of Mapusa have suffered for the last 27 years due to the absence of proper development. Instead of emerging as North Goa’s major commercial centre with modern infrastructure and better civic facilities, Mapusa has been neglected,” Alemao said.

He also raised concerns over the law-and-order situation in Goa, citing murders, crimes against women and the drug menace, and said that these issues required urgent attention.

Alemao appealed to the people of Mapusa to support Congress in the 2027 Assembly elections and work towards bringing a change in governance.

“Goans are rising to protect Goa”: Girish Chodankar

Former GPCC President Girish Chodankar said the massive participation in the Goy Rakhonn Yatra demonstrated that Goans were increasingly coming together to protect their land, identity, culture and environment.

He criticised the BJP government over its handling of recruitment and employment opportunities, alleging that the recruitment process had become a “mess” and that unemployed Goan youth were being made to suffer in the name of government jobs.

“The unity witnessed during the Goy Rakhonn Yatra is sending a strong political message. Goans are coming together to protect their state, their identity and the future of the next generation,” Chodankar said.

He appealed to the people of Mapusa to extend their support to Congress in the 2027 Assembly elections.

Congress leaders pledge to continue statewide campaign

GPCC Working President Altone D’Costa and other local Congress leaders addressed the gathering and thanked the people of Mapusa for participating in large numbers.

Congress leaders said the Goy Rakhonn Yatra would continue across Goa, providing citizens with a platform to raise local issues and voice concerns relating to governance, employment, corruption, land, environment, infrastructure and Goa’s identity.

The Yatra, they said, was aimed at building a united public movement to safeguard Goa’s interests and ensure that the concerns of ordinary Goans remain at the centre of the political discourse.

Those present included: AICC Goa In-charge Manickrao Thakare, AICC Co-In-charge Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar, GPCC President Girish Chodankar, LoP Yuri Alemao, Working Presidents Altone D’Costa and Sunil Kawthankar, Vice President Pramod Salgaonkar, senior leaders Gurudas Natekar, Shashikant Kandolkar and Subhash Narvekar, Media Chairman Amarnath Panjikar, Social Media Chairman Himanshu Tivrekar, District Presidents Shashank Narvekar and Mangaldas Naik, Seva Dal Chief Rajan Ghate, Youth Congress President Archit Naik, Mahila Congress President Pratiksha Khalap, General Secretary Vijay Bhike, Sanjay Barde, Sudhir Kandolkar, Rahul Mhambre, Salman Khan and other leaders, along with thousands of Yatris.
Amarnath Panjikar compered the function while Pratiksha Khalap Proposed vote of thanks.