MARGAO
One birthday celebration and three separate receptions hosted by Margao MLA Digambar Kamat over the weekend have raised many an eyebrow in political circles in the commercial capital and outside.
Kamat’s granddaughter’s first birthday grand celebration, over a space of three days at the Daivadnya hall in Margao, Samrat Gardens in Fatorda and Sunday’s bash thrown at Grand Hyatt in Bambolim have raised questions in political circles, bringing the former chief minister under the radar of political observers and Congress leaders.
That the grand celebrations coming against the backdrop of the recent political developments and Kamat’s open admission that he is 'retired hurt' over being sidelined by the party for the Post of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader has only left tongues wagging, throwing up questions whether there’s something more than meets the eye, whether the entire exercise was aimed at generating goodwill amongst supporters and keep the workers in good humour.
Consider this. The grandchild’s first birthday celebration kicked off at the spacious Daivadnya hall at Margao for the supporters and workers, including Margao Municipal councillors.
Sources said many a Margao Municipal City Father, both from Margao and Fatorda, made it for the birthday celebration, along with a band of dedicated Kamat supporters.
Then came the second birthday bash hosted by Kamat at the Samrat Gardens near Ravindra Bhavan in Fatorda, which was attended by his ardent workers and supporters from his migrant-inhabited stronghold of Moti Dongor.
Take note, Moti Dongor had stood solidly with Kamat in every election. In 2022, despite a determined bid by arch-rival Manohar Ajgaonkar, the BJP could not storm Moti Dongor.
Sunday saw the Margao MLA hosting the third birthday bash at the Grand Hyatt, Bambolim, which sources said was attended by family members, besides VIPs, including MLAs and well-wishers of the former chief minister.
Sources said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, a couple of ministers and Congress MLAs, including Michael Lobo, Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai, a Margao-based businessman and a city-based lawyer, were amongst the guests spotted at the birthday party.
The seven-time Margao MLA, however, says that nothing political should be read at the birthday parties hosted by him to mark his granddaughter’s first birthday.
“Where’s the question of politics at these birthday celebrations? My first grandchild‘s first birthday was also celebrated at Grand Hyatt. And, do you think one can discuss politics when many people are around attending a birthday party,” he questioned.
Even as political observers wonder whether the seasoned politician has thrown up the birthday bash as part of a goodwill exercise amongst his supporters before he takes a call on his future political career, Kamat shot back: “I celebrate my victory with my supporters after every election. The last time around we celebrated the Margao Cricket Club ground after the polls. This time, however, we could not have the victory celebration. Hence, the supporters were invited for my granddaughter’s birthday.”
He added: “I was left with no option but to host three parties because of the monsoons. We have no big party halls in the city which can accommodate thousands of people. Hence, supporters were called at Daivadnya hall, at Samrat Gardens and family members and other guests at the Grand Hyatt.”
Kamat has been in the eye of a political storm over reports that a section of Congress is on the job to cobble up a two-thirds majority to leave the party. The Margao MLA, however, has since denied the reports, including reports he may quit Congress and seek re-election, terming them as mere speculations.
Will Cong pick CLP leader from minority community?
MARGAO:
The delay in zeroing in on the Choice of Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader has thrown up another issue for the party to grapple with – whether to go for a candidate from the minority community and maintain the delicate communal balance in the scheme of party things.
The delay in filling up the vacuum left behind by the resignation of Michael Lobo from the post is believed to have threatened to cause further division amongst the MLAs, more so in the group, which had decided against forming the two-third group to join the BJP.
Having burnt its fingers after the Party High Command opted for the Digambar Kamat-Girish Chodankar combination ignoring calls by local party leaders batting for a minority face in the scheme of things, the party leadership seemed to tread a cautious path this time round.
Sources said a section of Congress has veered to the firm opinion that the CLP post should go to an MLA hailing from the minority community. This section has even gone to the extent of accusing a senior party leader, no more holding party posts, for lobbying hard to ensure his close aide is appointed to head the CLP post.
“The delay is creating further division amongst the CLP member. If seven MLAs are on one side, ready to break away from Congress, the remaining five now seemed divided over the choice of candidate for CLP,” informed an MLA, while making a plea to the High Court to immediately settle the CLP imbroglio before vested interests succeeded in creating a further wedge in the Congress Legislature Party.
