Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Aug 18: With the Goa Congress facing internal differences and the resignation of 108 booth-level agents, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday called for unity in the party, warning that the BJP could exploit divisions ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Addressing the GPCC's BLA and booth-level convention 'Ekvot' in Goa, Kharge said Congress leaders must remain united if they wanted party workers and supporters to stand together.
“Leaders need to be united and only then people and workers will be united. If leaders are not united, everyone will follow their own leader. You should have unity,” Kharge said.
He said Congress remained strong in Goa but needed to remain united to convert its organisational strength into an electoral victory.
“I want to make it clear, there is no doubt Congress in Goa is strong, but united we need to stand strong. Unity mein hi sab kuch hai. There can be diversity, but unity is very important,” he said.
Kharge alleged that the BJP was attempting to create divisions within Congress and urged party workers to remain united to protect the country, the party's ideology and the Constitution.
“BJP is trying to create a divide within us. We need to be united to protect our country, our ideology, our party and the Constitution,” he said.
Kharge also launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led government in Goa, accusing it of coming to power through defections.
“BJP government in Goa is choro ki sarkar and these people are teaching us morality,” he said, alleging that Congress MLAs had switched sides for power.
He claimed that 10 of the BJP's 12 ministers were former Congress leaders and described those who defected as “cowards” and “gaddars”.
“Do not vote for these gaddars who sacrifice their soul for power,” Kharge said.
Promising a series of measures if Congress returned to power in 2027, Kharge said the party would work to make Goa “nasha mukt”, provide employment, crack down on illegal activities and protect the state's land, air and water.
“Goem vikpak divche na, BJPk jikpak divche na,” he said, calling upon Goans to vote for development and against the BJP.
AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare also warned party leaders against anti-party activities and publicly criticising the organisation.
“Congress will not spare anyone involved in anti-party activities. We will not tolerate anyone speaking against the party or going to the media and speaking. Our unity is our message to the BJP,” Thakare said.
Thakare urged party workers to set aside personal grievances and individual interests, asserting that Congress belonged to all its workers and not to a few individuals.
“Congress does not belong to two or three people; it belongs to all,” he said.
GPCC chief Girish Chodankar said the booth-level organisation was the foundation of the party and expressed confidence that Congress would form a “people's government” in Goa in 2027.
“Our booth workers are our foundation. Unless they reach out to people and listen to their grievances, we will not be able to come to power,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said Congress was determined to win the 2027 elections and claimed that the party would secure 27 seats.
“Unity is our biggest strength. We have to be united whatsoever. This is a fight for Goa and for the future generation,” Alemao said.
Alemao also alleged that the BJP was attempting to divide not only Congress but Goa and its people.
Congress MP Viriato Fernandes stressed that booth workers and Booth Level Agents were the party's biggest strength.
“Unity is very important if we have to come to power. Differences of opinion exist in every family and political party, but that does not mean we should divide our party,” he said.
Former GPCC chief Amit Patkar was also present at the 'Ekvot' convention. Party leaders acknowledged and welcomed his presence during their speeches.