EP-457 | Goa SIR Controversy, Tourism, Taxi ‘Mafia’, Rahul Gandhi & 2027 Polls | Pramod Sawant

<p>Pramod Sawant has been the Chief Minister of Goa since 2019. An Ayurvedic doctor by training, he succeeded Manohar Parrikar and led the BJP to victory in the 2022 Goa Assembly election.</p><p><br></p><p>In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the Goa SIR controversy, allegations of voter roll manipulation and the BJP’s chances in the 2027 polls. He also responds to questions about expensive holidays, the taxi ‘mafia’, drugs, jobs and rising land prices in Goa. The conversation covers Rahul Gandhi, his RSS background and how Goa can grow while protecting its local culture and identity.</p><p><br></p><p>*Timestamps*</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 - Introduction</p><p>01:20 - BJP’s Goa CM Face in 2027</p><p>03:30 - Manohar Parrikar’s Influence</p><p>06:30 - Goa SIR Controversy</p><p>11:10 - Rahul Gandhi’s Protest</p><p>13:00 - Opposition Alliance in Goa</p><p>17:10 - Free Electricity for Goans</p><p>18:10 - Corruption Allegations Against the CM</p><p>19:30 - Jobs and Unemployment</p><p>21:40 - Ease of Doing Business in Goa</p><p>22:30 - Industries, Shipbuilding and Education</p><p>24:00 - Mining and Environmental Protection</p><p>24:50 - Foreign Tourists</p><p>26:10 - Negative Stories About Goa</p><p>27:20 - Goa vs Thailand and Vietnam</p><p>29:40 - Public Transport and Expensive Taxis</p><p>30:30 - Why No Ola or Uber in Goa?</p><p>32:00 - Power Cuts in Tourist Areas</p><p>33:00 - Beach Cleanliness and Lifeguards</p><p>33:40 - Stray Dogs and Cattle</p><p>34:30 - Land Mafia Allegations</p><p>36:00 - Rising House Prices</p><p>37:00 - Protecting Goan Culture</p><p>38:00 - Migrant Workers and Local Jobs</p><p>39:30 - Goa’s Anti-Narcotics Action</p><p>41:40 - Foreigners Running Businesses</p><p>44:30 - Ayurveda and Politics</p><p>46:00 - Sawant’s RSS Background</p><p>47:00 - Rahul Gandhi, RSS and Minorities</p><p>50:40 - Sawant’s Vision for Goa</p><p>52:30 - Pothole-Free Goa and Tourist Safety</p><p>53:40 - Message to Tourists</p><p>54:20 - Closing Remarks</p>