Margao: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said the party was confident of defeating the BJP in Goa with the support of an opposition alliance and the people, accusing state govt of intimidating opponents and suppressing dissent.Addressing the party’s political affairs committee meeting, Kharge said the large turnout at Monday’s meeting in Verna reflected people’s desire for change.“Our doors for alliances are open. Like-minded political parties should be welcomed to join the alliance to defeat BJP and its corrupt rule,” he said, accusing BJP of creating religious tensions and dividing people. “This time we will not allow them to snatch power against the wishes of the people,” he said.Kharge said Congress stood with activists opposing land conversions and the destruction of villages. “Activists and NGOs tell me there is no place in Goa this govt has not set its sights on for destruction. People should not allow land conversions,” he said, urging local leaders to continue alliance talks in the state’s interest.He said Congress workers had endured 14 years of suppression under BJP rule. “You need to learn to tolerate for the larger good and to sacrifice for the people of Goa. I am confident their patience will yield results,” he said.Speaking to reporters later on the Centre’s proposed FCRA Bill, Kharge said Congress opposed the legislation. “If anyone has erred, identify those responsible and act against them. Stopping funding altogether is not the answer,” he said, claiming the RSS receives the highest foreign funding among organisations.On a complaint filed against him, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi over the rendition of Vande Mataram at Congress’s Independence Day event, Kharge said the party had followed the same version sung by Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Vallabhbhai Patel. “We have sung it this way for 18 years, including under the Vajpayee govt at the Centre. If this amounts to a crime, then it is one we have been committing for 18 years. If I have committed a crime, then file FIRs against Nehru and Gandhi too,” he said.
