A lot going on in Goa Congress as confusion continues to grip workers.
The party has yet to officially confirm the cancellation of Indian National Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge’s public meeting in Navelim, originally scheduled for Goa Statehood Day. The meeting, which was to mark Kharge’s maiden address in the state, was planned for the Manohar Parrikar Stadium in Navelim. However, with just a day remaining, no formal announcement has been made by the party leadership to either the workers or the media.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Senior Vice President M. K. Sheikh told GNH that the meeting, intended as an indoor event, was cancelled due to “torrential rains.” Yet, party insiders suggest a different narrative, citing difficulties in mobilising a large crowd as a contributing factor. A senior leader, however, denied such claims and maintained that the cancellation was purely weather-related.
Despite the change in venue, the poster still prominently features national leaders including Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi, raising questions about their participation. The lack of clear communication has left Congress cadres uncertain and seeking clarity ahead of the Statehood Day celebrations.
Further fueling speculation is a new poster circulating online. It features GPCC President Amit Patkar, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, MLAs Carlos Alvares and Altone D’Costa, and South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes. The poster announces that the Statehood Day function will now take place at Z Square, Samrat Theatre in Panaji — a much smaller venue than the original.