MARGAO
Post-defection, one question that has indeed become a talking point in Margao political circles and outside is simple “ is Margao MLA Digambar Kamat bracing up to hand over the baton to son Yogiraj in the near future?
This question has been repeatedly heard in the lanes and by-lanes of the commercial capital since the last three months, more so after the seven-time Margao MLA, affectionately called Baba by his ardent and devoted workers, defected from the Congress to return back to the BJP fold in September last year.
Reason: Since the day of defection till date, son Yogiraj is seen along with the Margao MLA almost everywhere, right from the inspection of the Sonsodo waste dumping site to the launching and inauguration of development works over the last three months.
Even when Kamat cannot make it to any programme or function, son Yogiraj makes his presence felt, apparently representing the MLA at the event.
The Christmas-New Year season has only brought to the fore the same old question “ has the Margao MLA drawn up any plan to get son Yogiraj into electoral politics?
For, a ride down on the internal roads of the city would reveal a host of banners with the Margao MLA and son Yogiraj extending Christmas and New Year greetings to the constituents. Take note, it’s not uncommon for the Margao MLA to extend wishes on the occasion of Ganesh Chathurti, Diwali, Christmas and New Year along with the ward councillor of the area.
No doubt, one has come across banners with the photos of Kamat and the ward councillors extending seasons greetings, but a couple of banners figuring the father-son duo’s photo have come up at many areas of the constituency this time round.
The Margao MLA has maintained a stoic silence on plans to induct son Yogiraj in electoral politics. And, so has Yogiraj. In fact, Yogiraj just smiled when a city-based scribe recently suggested to him that he is set to don the mantle of Margao MLA.
Yogiraj’s presence at public events and Kamat’s silence on plans for son has thrown up a host of speculations in political circles. One, whether the seven-time Margao MLA has any immediate plans to hand over the baton to son. Or, whether the son is being groomed to take over mantle in the 2027 polls?
Kamat had started his political career in the mid-80’s when he made it to the Margao Municipal Council as a councillor. Take note, Yogiraj’s name did the rounds in city circles in the run up to the 2021 civic polls that Kamat’s son is set to enter politics via the local civic body. Reports did the rounds then that Yogiraj will most certainly contest from the Municipal ward having jurisdiction over Aquem and Moti Dongor, which has been the father’s stronghold over the years. The flip-flop over the reservations, however, is believed to have scuttled the plan after the ward was reserved for the OBC.
