As Modi targets his ‘Constitution forced on Goans’ remark, Congress candidate and Navy veteran challenges PM to open debate

Referring to remarks by South Goa Congress candidate Viriato Fernandes made on Monday, Modi says Congress trying to ‘create islands in the country’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress's South Goa candidate Viriato Fernandes. (PTI/ X)

A day after Congress’s South Goa candidate said the Indian Constitution was “forced” on Goans, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at an election rally in Chhattisgarh that the Congress was making an “a calculated move to break the nation”.

Captain Viriato Fernandes, Congress candidate from South Goa Lok Sabha seat, said Modi had “misinterpreted” his comments, and challenged the PM to an open debate.

Addressing a rally in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district, Modi said Tuesday, “Congress has now started another big game. First, the Congress MP from Karnataka said that South India would be declared a separate country. Now, the Congress candidate from Goa is saying that the Constitution of India does not apply to Goa. The candidate is saying clearly that the Constitution was ‘forced’ on Goa and that he had told this to the ‘shehzada’ of Congress.”

Also Read | Former Union minister, retired Naval officer among Congress candidates from Goa; sitting MP dropped

On Monday, Fernandes had spoken of a meeting he had with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in 2019. “We had raised 12 demands before him (Rahul), and one of them concerned dual citizenship. He said the demand would not be considered if it is not constitutional. I explained to him that the Indian Constitution was implemented on January 26, 1950. (So), when Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961, you (Central government) forced the Constitution upon us. We were not included in it,” Fernandes said.

Referring to this, PM Modi said, “Is this not an insult to Babasaheb Ambedkar? Is this not an insult of the Constitution of India? The Congress candidate is saying the Constitution will not be implemented in Goa. The people of Jammu and Kashmir also used to say this. You gave your blessings to Modi, today their mouths are shut…”

Modi said that the Goa candidate made his interaction with Rahul public with the consent of the Congress leader. “This is a calculated move to break the nation. Congress has been rejected by a large part of the country. That is why it wants to create such islands in the country,” he said.

Also Read | North Goa Lok Sabha Constituency: BJP’s Shripad Naik vs INDIA bloc’s Ramakant Khalap

Responding to Modi’s remarks, Fernandes said, “I am ready for an open debate with the PM when he comes to Goa. You are challenging a soldier who has served for 26 years in the Indian Navy. When I entered the Navy, I took an oath on the very Constitution that you are trying to amend…”

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At his Chhattisgarh rally, Modi also promised that the BJP would not tamper with the Constitution, and said the Congress allegation that the BJP was planning to end reservation was false. “Take it in writing – forget Modi, forget the BJP, even if Babasaheb Ambedkar himself calls for it, the Constitution will not change.”

Jayprakash S Naidu

Jayprakash S Naidu is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently serving as the state correspondent for Chhattisgarh. With an extensive career in frontline journalism, he reports on the political, security, and humanitarian landscape of Central India. Expertise and Experience Specialized Conflict Reporting: Jayprakash is a leading voice on the Maoist/Naxalite conflict in the Bastar region. His reporting provides a critical, ground-level view of: Internal Security: Tracking high-stakes encounters, surrender programs for senior Maoist leaders, and the establishment of security camps in formerly inaccessible "heartland" villages. Tribal Rights & Displacement: Investigative reporting on the identity and land struggles of thousands of displaced tribals fleeing conflict zones for neighboring states. Governance & Bureaucratic Analysis: He consistently monitors the evolution of Chhattisgarh as it marks 25 years of statehood, covering: Electoral Politics: Analyzing the shift in power between the BJP and Congress and the impact of regional tribal movements. Public Policy: Reporting on landmark infrastructure projects (e.g., mobile connectivity in remote zones) and judicial interventions, such as High Court rulings on civil and family law. Diverse Investigative Background: Prior to his current focus on Chhattisgarh, Jayprakash held reported from Maharashtra, where he specialized in: Crisis & Disaster Management: Notable for his extensive coverage of the Cyclone Tauktae barge tragedy (P-305) and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on frontline personnel. Legal & Human Rights: Investigative pieces for platforms like Article-14, focusing on police accountability and custodial deaths across India. Environmental & Social Justice: Authoritative reporting on the Hasdeo Aranya forest protests and the approval of major tiger reserves, highlighting the tension between industrial mining and environmental preservation. ... Read More

Pavneet Singh Chadha

Pavneet Singh Chadha is the Goa Correspondent of The Indian Express. His reporting focuses intensely on the state of Goa, covering major developments in politics, governance, and significant local events, which establishes his high degree of Expertise and Authority in the region. Expertise Geographic Expertise: As the Goa correspondent, Pavneet provides on-the-ground, comprehensive coverage of Goa's political, social, and cultural landscape, ensuring readers receive timely and localized insights. Key Coverage Focus: His recent work demonstrates deep investigative capabilities and a focus on high-impact stories, including: Investigative Reporting: Extensive coverage of complex events such as major incidents (e.g., the Goa nightclub fire), tracing the legal, political, and safety lapses involved. Government and Law Enforcement: Detailed tracking of police actions, deportations, and legal proceedings related to significant local cases. Policy and Governance: Reporting on the judiciary (e.g., Goa High Court flagging illegal structures) and the actions of government departments. He tweets @pub_neat ... Read More

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