BJP turned Goa into hub for drug lords, land mafia: Revanth | Hyderabad News

Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Sunday dubbed BJP as ‘Ravan’ and Congress as ‘Ram’, and appealed to the people to join hands with Ram (Congress) to defeat Ravan (BJP) in Goa.Addressing a public meeting after participating in a padayatra organised by Goa Pradesh Congress Committee in Cuncolim, Goa, Revanth Reddy said: “The political and electoral battle in Goa is between Ravan (BJP) and Ram (Congress). If people vote for any other smaller parties, it will benefit only BJP as it is the saffron party which is known to be the master behind the smaller parties contesting elections.”“I could see hope in the eyes of the people during the padayatra here. I had seen similar feelings in the eyes of people during my padayatra in Telangana after which Congress came to power there. People are vexed with BJP in Goa,” Revanth said.The assembly elections in Goa are likely to be held in Feb next year. “The people of Goa had been deceived twice by BJP and should not give the party another opportunity. Goa is witnessing the growing influence of drug lords and the land mafia under BJP rule. Chief minister Pramod Sawant is facilitating the transfer of local land and assets to others instead of focusing on the state’s development. People of Goa have started referring to him as Property Sawant rather than Pramod Sawant,” Revanth alleged.The CM also alleged that BJP has turned Goa into a hub of drugs and expressed concern over the impact of drugs on the state’s youth. Questioning Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah’s slogan of a ‘Nasha Mukt-Bharat’ (Drug-Free India), Revanth asked why the same objective was not being effectively implemented in Goa. “Because you are making money from drugs in Goa. You have spoiled the image of Goa and turned it into a drug hub,” he added.Revanth called upon the youth and people of Goa to think when “BJP is in the govt in Goa and also at the Centre, and CBI, IT, ED, RAW and other agencies in the hands of the BJP govt, why are they not stopping drugs in Goa.”“BJP’s return to power for a third consecutive term will risk alienating Goans from their own land, increased unemployment and pollution, land alienation,” Revanth said and urged the people to protect the state’s identity, land and reputation by voting Congress to victory.Calling for a Congress govt in Goa, the Telangana CM said the political fight was not merely for Congress but for the people of the state. Earlier, BJP used to misuse ED, IT and CBI to win elections. “Now, it is misusing Election Commission of India with chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar being their main instrument to achieve their purpose,” Revanth alleged.Expressing confidence in the party’s prospects, the leader referred to the 2026 monsoon season and the formation of a Congress govt in Kerala, predicting that Goa would witness a similar change in 2027. He concluded by expressing confidence that the Congress would return to power in Goa and that the tricolour would fly high over the Red Fort in Delhi.