Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Dec 7: Opposition parties have called for the immediate resignation of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant following the devastating fire at the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on Saturday night. They have also demanded a thorough and transparent inquiry to identify lapses and hold those responsible accountable.

The massive blaze killed 25 people — including four tourists and 14 staff members — while the identities of seven victims remain unconfirmed. Six others were injured and are receiving treatment. An FIR has been lodged against the nightclub owner and general manager, and the Chief Minister has ordered a magisterial inquiry. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Amit Patkar described the incident as a “Black Day” for Goa’s tourism industry, asserting it reflected a collapse of regulatory oversight. “This is not an accident but a direct consequence of the government’s failure in governance and public safety,” he said, demanding Sawant’s resignation on moral grounds.

Aam Aadmi Party Goa chief Amit Palekar echoed the demand, calling the catastrophe a result of government negligence. Senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakre expressed grief over the tragedy while pressing for a transparent and accountable investigation. Gandhi termed it a “criminal failure of governance,” while Kharge stressed strict enforcement of fire safety norms.

Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai alleged the disaster was enabled by governmental negligence, saying, “Twenty-five lives were lost because authorities were asleep at the wheel, allowing negligence and corruption to thrive,” and asserting that the government had forfeited its moral mandate.