NT Reporter | Margao
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao used his birthday celebration on Sunday to call for a united political front to “rebuild Goa”, urging parties and citizens to rise above divisions ahead of 2027. The entire opposition was present for the celebration.
Addressing supporters in Cuncolim, Alemao said, “For me, Goa is first. There is a need to unite and win Goa. New and clean politics should come in Goa. All opposition parties should think about this. I am confident that this will give BJP sleepless nights. Goa is too precious and we can’t afford to lose it. We have to protect our natural environment, foster our social environment and create opportunities for our youth.”
The event was attended by AICC Goa in-charge Manikrao Thakare, GPCC president Amit Patkar, Congress working committee permanent invitee Girish Chodankar, MLAs Vijai Sardesai, Carlos Ferreira, Altone D’Costa and Viresh Borkar, RGP chief Manoj Parab, Congress block presidents and other party leaders.
Reflecting on his loss in Sanguem, Alemao said he had learnt resilience through defeat. “Failure has taught me more than success. But I have learnt the lesson of life and lessons of politics. In modern language, I can say that Sanguem was a ‘start up’ in my political journey,” he said.
He urged voters to bring “real change” in 2027 and help eradicate “forces of hatred, corruption and recruitment scams”.
Parab praised Alemao’s intervention in the Assembly. “We have seen him, how he performs in the assembly session,” Parab said.
Patkar added, “If we want to defeat ‘bhrasht jumala’ party then we require Alemao’s leadership.”
Borkar said political differences had been set aside in favour of a larger cause. “People want unity and we need to maintain it. This is the time for ‘kranti’. People are suffering and we need to unite to fight against it else this government will destroy people,” he said.
Sardesai said, “We need to respect this aspiration. If not, then we are not fit as politicians. Protecting democracy and keeping it intact has become challenging in today’s dispensation.”
Chodankar compared current politics to aviation turbulence. “Pilots fight against turbulence; in Goa’s politics presently there is such turbulence and there is a need to fight against it.”
President of Goa Freedom Fighters Association Rohidas Dessai also spoke.
Cultural programme followed in which Lorna also performed.
