Why did South Goa BJP candidate Narendrabab Sawaikar headed to the Saffron brigade’s Big Man, Satishbab Dhond, with folded hands soon after filing his nomination papers earlier this week? The all-powerful BJP organizing secretary was present outside the office of the Returning Officer, closely monitoring the situation when Sawaikarbab approached him with folded hands. It could not be immediately gathered whether Sawaikarbab was seeking blessings from Satishbab Dhond or whether he sounded apologetic to the party organizing secretary. Whatever may be the reason, Sawaikarbab’s gesture was indeed the talking point outside the office of the Returning Officer for some time.
When Sardinha & Digambar made peace
Congress South Goa candidate Francisbab Sardinha’s straight-forward nature helped him to calm down an enraged Diggu and get the six-time Margao MLA kick start his campaign in the commercial capital. With Diggu nursing a grudge against Sardinhbab for not supporting him for the opposition leader’s post after the 2012 Assembly polls, the Congress candidate is believed to have explained his position and the circumstances leading to the appointment of Pratapsing Rane as the LoP. Sardinbab’s frank admission won Diggu’s crucial support in his battle against the saffron brigade. That Diggu told Sardinhbab to sleep peacefully now indicates that he has buried the hatchet with the former MP.
Never willing to leave his fort
BJP two-time former MLA Damubab Naik is believed to have made it quite clear to the saffron bosses that he would like to hold the Fatorda fort in the ensuing election, notwithstanding that party leadership’s move to get Goa Forward Chief Vijaibab Sardesai to accompany Narendrabab Sawaikar to the office of the Returning Officer. Damubab has no issues with the party appointing him as the in-charge of the BJP North Goa campaign, but he does not want any other leader to hold the Fatorda fort. That explains why Damubab shuttles between Mapusa and Fatorda as he repeatedly makes trips to his home constituency to take stock of the situation back home.
Rubbishing the Congress campaign on cycles
The saffron brigade feels that campaigning on cycles will not take Congress candidate Girishbab Chodankar anywhere in the North Goa Lok Sabha poll. BJP Chief Vinaybab Tendulkar even went to the extent of saying that a tyre puncture along the way may actually puncture the Congress campaign, leaving Girishbab stranded in the constituency. And, he appears certain that Girishbab and his group do not move around with cycles propelled with motors, suggesting that it’s not possible for the Congress candidate to cover the length and breadth of North Goa. Any questions Girishbab?
Making common cause in politics
Congress MLAs and leaders, who called on the Taleigao strongman, after he went to the media with an announcement to quit the Goa Forward Party to contest the Panaji bypoll as an independent, returned back with a question -- why the Congress wants to make common cause with him when some of them have approached the BJP to embrace the saffron brigade. The senior Congress leaders, sources said, had approached Babush to find out whether there can be a joint opposition candidate on the Congress banner. And, Babush is believed to have questioned one of the Congress leaders to shed light on reports that he had a meeting with Amit Shah. Indeed, a time for introspection.
