Panaji, August 20, 2026: Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP government over the long-pending issue of political reservation for Scheduled Tribes in Goa, saying former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi would have been “deeply saddened” to see that the constitutional rights of the ST community were yet to be implemented in the state.

Chodankar was speaking as the GPCC commemorated the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister and Bharat Ratna Rajiv Gandhi. Congress leaders paid floral tributes at the Rajiv Gandhi Memorial at Bambolim, while a programme was also held at the Congress headquarters in Panaji to remember the former Prime Minister’s contribution to modern India.

GPCC President Girish Chodankar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, MP Capt. Viriato Fernandes, former MP Francisco Sardinha, MLA Carlos Alvares, former Mayor Surendra Furtado and other Congress leaders garlanded Rajiv Gandhi’s statue at Bambolim. On the occasion of Sadbhavana Diwas, Chodankar also administered the Sadbhavana pledge.

Addressing party workers, Chodankar said Rajiv Gandhi played a decisive role in ushering India into the era of computers, Information Technology and modernisation despite opposition to such initiatives at the time.

“Rajiv Gandhi had the vision to take India forward. He introduced IT, computers and technology when the BJP opposed them. He also reduced the voting age from 21 to 18 years, empowering the youth to participate in the democratic process,” Chodankar said.

He said Rajiv Gandhi’s vision was not limited to technological advancement but also focused on strengthening democracy at the grassroots and expanding political representation for marginalised sections and women.

Turning to the issue of ST political reservation in Goa, Chodankar accused the BJP government of failing to ensure the community received its constitutional rights.

“Rajiv Gandhi would have been deeply saddened to see that even today the constitutional rights of the ST community are not being implemented in Goa,” he said.

Chodankar alleged that successive promises on ST political reservation had not translated into implementation and accused the BJP government of “playing with the sentiments” of the community.

He recalled that during the UPA government headed by then Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2013, steps had been initiated to provide ST reservation in areas with a sizeable Scheduled Tribe population. He claimed an Ordinance had been brought and published in the Gazette, but political reservation for Goa’s ST community remained pending despite the passage of years.

“The BJP Government has failed to implement ST reservation and continues to play with the sentiments of the ST community,” Chodankar charged.

₹3,200-Crore Tribal Funds Diversion Alleged

Chodankar also levelled a serious allegation over the utilisation of Tribal Sub-Plan funds, claiming that ₹3,200 crore meant for the welfare and development of Goa’s ST community had not been utilised for its intended purpose and had instead been diverted towards other events.

He described the funds as the rightful entitlement of the ST community and said any diversion from their intended purpose amounted to grave injustice.

The allegation adds another dimension to the Congress attack on the government over tribal welfare, with Chodankar demanding accountability not only over political reservation but also over the utilisation of funds earmarked for ST development.

He further contrasted Rajiv Gandhi’s vision of using technology as an instrument of national development with what he alleged was the BJP’s misuse of technology for “destructive and divisive purposes.”

Former MP Francisco Sardinha, Working Presidents MLA Carlos Alvares and Sunil Kawthankar, and Mahila Congress President Dr. Pratiksha Khalap also paid tributes to Rajiv Gandhi and recalled his vision of building a modern, progressive and technologically advanced India.

GPCC spokespersons Amit Palekar, Samil Volvoikar, Savio Coutinho, Vivek D’Silva and Mahesh Mhambre, Social Media Chairman Himanshu Tivrekar, OBC Chairman Sharad Chopdekar, Minority Chairman Nasir Khan, former District Presidents Virendra Shirodkar and Savio D’Silva, along with Pratibha Borkar, Glenn Cabral, Nilesh Gomes, Pradip Harmalkar and other party leaders, office-bearers and workers attended the programme.

Altinho Gomes compered the programme, while Seva Dal Chief Organiser Rajan Ghate proposed the vote of thanks.