PONDA: Following the victory of Captain Viriato Fernandes, the INDIA alliance candidate, who bagged the South Goa Lok Sabha seat, Congress workers in Ponda celebrated with loud cheers and firecrackers. Congress leader Rajesh Verenkar, Ponda Block President William Aguiar, Arun Gudekar, and other party supporters gathered to mark the win.
Speaking to the media, Rajesh Verenkar said Captain Viriato would continue to fight against coal pollution, double tracking, and issues affecting Goans, such as Mhadei water. He hailed Captain Viriato as a soldier, social worker, honest, and capable candidate whose activism helped him win the seat.
Verenkar credited the people for the victory, saying it was a fight against those in power. “Despite BJP having the force of party workers, power, money and the use of the government machinery, Congress party finally won the seat with the support of the people. The people had silently voted for Congress because there was a fear of revenge politics – now, there is no need to fear them. Bhivpachi garaz naa. People are slowly understanding politics, and learning what is good and what is bad for them,” he said.
Verenkar expressed hope that this victory would boost the people’s confidence and encourage them to vote fearlessly in the 2027 assembly election. He promised that the Congress party, through Captain Viriato, would submit a memorandum to address issues like inflation, GST, and the rise in price of fuel and LPG.
He remarked that there are four Ministers in Ponda, but they have failed to resolve the problems of Ponda. “Despite having four Ministers, the Ponda Sub District Hospital lacks proper medical facilities,” he said, adding that Viriato had assured that he would soon visit the Sub District Hospital to conduct a follow-up on pending medical facilities, including CT scan.
