Daijiworld Media Network - Margao

Margao, Jun 22: Using International Yoga Day as a platform to criticise the ruling BJP government, Goa Congress president Girish Chodankar on Sunday accused the state administration of prioritising political image-building over effective governance.

Chodankar said that while yoga is an important practice that promotes balance and well-being, Goans are now being forced to seek balance in their daily lives due to rising prices, unemployment, financial stress and what he described as anti-people policies.

“Every household in Goa today understands the importance of yoga because people are constantly struggling to maintain balance amid rising prices, unemployment, financial insecurity and anti-people decisions of the BJP government,” he said.

Launching a sharp attack on the BJP, which has been in power in Goa for nearly 14 years, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee chief alleged that the ruling party had become adept at combining political propaganda with administrative shortcomings.

He further claimed that a discipline respected by millions had been turned into an annual publicity exercise aimed at diverting public attention from governance failures.

Chodankar alleged that the government's “greatest yogic achievement” was its ability to maintain balance while dealing with a series of controversies, including corruption allegations, the contentious Section 39-A of the Goa Town and Country Planning Act, the implementation of smart electricity meters, jobs-for-cash accusations, the growing drug problem, increasing public debt and what he termed the indiscriminate sale of the state's resources.

He urged the government to shift its focus from public relations campaigns to addressing key issues affecting citizens.

According to Chodankar, priority should be given to creating employment opportunities, preserving Goa's identity, curbing the drug trade and improving public services.

“The people of Goa are no longer interested in symbolic displays. They want accountability, transparency and a government that works for them every day of the year, not only during photo opportunities,” he said.