Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the BJP government in Goa, accusing it of corruption, selling the state’s land to outsiders and failing to provide adequate employment opportunities to Goans. He called upon Congress workers and citizens to unite against what he described as the BJP’s “model of corruption” and work towards securing a full majority for the party in the 2027 Assembly elections.

Gandhi alleged that Goa’s land and resources were being exploited for financial gain, while ordinary Goans were being deprived of opportunities and forced to leave the state in search of jobs. He also questioned the increase in the assets of the Chief Minister and his family, alleging that the government’s priorities were driven by money rather than the welfare of the people.

“Goa is a beautiful paradise, but the BJP government is selling its land to outsiders and looting the poor by taking away their land. Its only priority seems to be making money, while Goans are forced to leave the State due to lack of jobs,” Gandhi said.

Gandhi also reiterated his allegations of electoral malpractice, targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He alleged that Gyanesh Kumar implemented the purported “Vote Chori” operation, Shah operationalised it and Modi planned it behind the scenes.

Questioning why no defamation case had been filed over his allegations against the Prime Minister, Gandhi said he had faced more than 45 such cases.

Calling upon Congress workers to take the issue to the people, Gandhi said every party worker must alert citizens and expose what he described as vote theft.

“Every Congress worker must alert people and expose Vote Chori. We are protectors of the Indian Constitution, and it is our religion. By stealing votes, they have attacked our religion,” he said.

Gandhi further alleged that Modi, Shah and Gyanesh Kumar would have to pay the price for their actions, reiterating the Congress party’s position that protecting the Constitution and electoral integrity was central to its political campaign.

Taking aim at the BJP’s governance in the state, Gandhi described Goa as a “model of corruption”, alleging that sophisticated methods of corruption and various forms of malpractice had become prevalent under the BJP government.

Drawing a parallel with the Gujarat model promoted by Modi, Gandhi claimed that the BJP had developed a corruption model in Goa that leaders from other states wanted to replicate. He urged Congress workers to expose and defeat what he termed a system of corruption and misgovernance.

The Congress leader also emphasised that Goa’s land, natural resources and future belonged to its people and not to any political party or individual.

“India does not belong to the BJP or the RSS; it belongs to its people. Likewise, Goa is not the personal property of the Chief Minister or the BJP. Its land, resources and future belong to the people of Goa, and their rights must be protected,” Gandhi said.

Appealing to voters ahead of the 2027 Goa Assembly elections, Gandhi urged the electorate to give Congress a full majority to stop what he alleged was the continued exploitation of the state and the humiliation of its people.

“If you want to stop the loot of Goa and the humiliation of Goans, give Congress a full majority in the 2027 Assembly elections. Every Congress worker and citizen must work towards this goal. Think of Goa’s future and vote for change,” he said.

Gandhi added that Congress would take on Modi and Shah, asserting that their political influence was nearing its end.

Meanwhile, the Congress party’s Gaon Rakhonn Yatra-cum-Abhiyan, which commenced on September 22, concluded on Saturday after covering all 40 Assembly constituencies in Goa.