Panaji, October 5, 2026: Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera on Monday launched a sharp attack on the BJP government, alleging that its 15-year rule in Goa had come at the cost of the state’s land, rivers, coastline, environment, employment opportunities and public safety.

Addressing a press conference in Panaji during the ongoing Goy Rakhonn Yatra, Khera said growing concerns over land, jobs, drugs, environmental degradation and law and order were fuelling public discontent across the state.

“The land, seas, rivers and beauty of Goa have been destroyed. Fifteen years of BJP rule have brought unemployment, narcotics and a serious deterioration in law and order. Goa is now paying the price for the BJP’s failures,” Khera alleged.

Khera, Chairman of the AICC Media and Publicity Department, was accompanied by AICC Goa Co-Incharge Dr. Anjali Nimbalkar, GPCC Working President Sunil Kawthankar, GPCC Media Chairman Amarnath Panjikar and AICC Media Coordinators Nishant Anand and Mrinal Hebbalkar.

Referring to the slogan “Goa for Goenkars,” Khera said it reflected growing anxiety among Goans over the future of their land, identity and employment opportunities.

He accused the BJP of seeking the votes of Goans while failing to ensure adequate employment opportunities for local youth. Pointing to Goa’s unemployment rate, cited at 8.3 per cent, he said educated Goan youngsters were being forced to look outside the state for jobs.

“The BJP wants the votes of Goenkars, but when it comes to jobs, opportunities are being denied to Goan youth,” he said.

Khera said the Goy Rakhonn Yatra had enabled Congress leaders to directly interact with citizens and understand their concerns over land conversions, employment, drugs, infrastructure, the environment and governance.

He also raised the issue of Goa’s drug menace and alleged that large drug networks could not operate without political or administrative protection. The government, he said, owed Goans an explanation about how such networks were able to flourish and expose young people to narcotics.

Turning to law and order, Khera cited concerns over crimes against women, assaults, kidnappings and other serious offences, arguing that the government had a responsibility to ensure Goa remained safe, particularly for women and children.

He also accused the BJP government of sacrificing Goa’s fragile ecology in the name of development. Land conversions, pollution, degradation of rivers and the coastline and what he described as inadequate public consultation in planning decisions were among the issues he highlighted.

Khera further questioned the government’s casino policy, alleging a lack of adequate scrutiny and transparency in granting permissions. He also asked whether revenues generated through economic activities in Goa were actually benefiting Goans.

With the next Assembly election due in 2027, Khera said voters would have an opportunity to judge the BJP on its record in government.

“People come to Goa to take everything from Goa, but they do not want to give anything back. This time, Goa will not remain silent. Goa will not be treated as a resource to be exploited. Goa belongs to Goenkars, and the people of Goa will decide who gets their votes,” he said.

Khera said Congress would seek to present an alternative centred on protecting Goa’s environment and identity, generating employment for local youth, combating drugs and ensuring public safety.

He maintained that development should benefit Goans and safeguard the state’s resources rather than serve vested interests.