Goa to Reignite Tradition of Celebrating Opinion Poll Day

Goa's Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced the revival of Opinion Poll Day celebrations on January 16. This event marks the 1967 referendum where Goans voted against merging with Maharashtra, choosing instead to remain a Union Territory. The decision came after a resolution by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.

Goa's Chief Minister Pramod Sawant declared on Friday that the state would reinstate the celebration of Opinion Poll Day on January 16, commemorating the pivotal 1967 referendum. Responding to a resolution by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Sawant emphasized the importance of recognizing this historic day.

The resolution called for January 16 to be observed as 'Asmitai Dis' or Identity Day, highlighting the significance of the event in Goa’s political history post-liberation from Portuguese rule in 1961. The referendum saw the people of Goa decisively vote against merging with Maharashtra, preferring to remain a Union Territory. Goa eventually achieved statehood status in 1987.

During the assembly discussion, Goa Forward Party's Vijai Sardesai noted that the official celebration of Opinion Poll Day, initiated by former chief minister late Manohar Parrikar, was discontinued under Sawant's administration. Sawant acknowledged the oversight and assured that the government would now commemorate the day with a state-level function.

Agriculture Minister Ravi Naik, a former anti-merger activist, remarked that Goa would have been relegated to a mere district under Maharashtra's administration if the merger had occurred, administered by a deputy collector.