It was a week when Manoharbhai Parrikar and Goa Forward party chief and chief architect of the coalition government Vijaibab Sardesai travelled together while they were heading to Sanguem. Sources said that Manoharbhai's car made a halt at the Nuvem traffic junction to pick Vijaibab before the duo headed to the Sanguem residence of MLA Prasadbab Gaonkar. It could not be ascertained what transpired during discussions between the Manohar-Vijai duo. Sources, however, said that while the journey helped the duo to discuss development of Fatorda, with the TCP Minister proposing a host of projects for his home constituency, politics also formed part of the discussions between the Chief Minister and the TCP minister post by-poll. From crossing swords on the streets just around a year ago to travelling together, relations between the two most powerful persons in the coalition government has finally come a long way.
Girish is Gandhis' pick
Call it recognition or simply reward, Girishbab Chodankar has been picked by none other than the Gandhi family as a member of the screening committee to finalise party candidates for the ensuing Gujarat Assembly poll. Girishbab is in the national capital with matters concerning Congress's student wing organisation, NSUI, but his induction on the screening panel is seen in his camp as a recognition of his services for the party. His close aides say that Girishbab was nominated for the Panaji seat by the party high command on grounds that he would not compromise, but will fight it out in the streets of the State capital against Manoharbhai. His camp says that Girishbab's appointment on the screening panel for Gujarat elections indicates that the high command, including the Gandhis, appeared a satisfied lot with the AICC secretary. Any questions?
Bhandaris stay ‘united'
Saffron brigade's comfortable victories in Panaji and Valpoi should hopefully bring cheers for Diggu and Vijaibab in Margao and Fatorda respectively, but for a different reason. Indeed, politicians of all hues were closely monitoring the outcome of the Panaji and Valpoi by-poll, and the Diggu-Vijai duo was not an exception. Reason. Both the BJP's challengers, Girishbab Chodankar and Roybab Naik are members of the powerful Bhandari samaj and it was but natural that everyone was keeping their fingers crossed whether the duo would be able to swing the samaj votes and upset the applecart of Manoharbhai Parrikar and Vishwajitbab Rane. As it turned out, the samaj factor did not back Girish-Roy duo, much to the relief of the saffron camp. Bhandaris comprise the largest vote-bank in both Margao and Fatorda and the poll outcome should hopefully bring relief to the Diggu-Vijai camp that the samaj did not stand behind their men. United we stand, divide we fall.
Battle for 2019 begins
The 2019 Lok Sabha poll may still be around two years away, but activist Priest Fr Eremito Rebelo has sounded the poll bugle against what he terms as communal forces. Speaking at Margao's Ravindra Bhavan at Irineubab's tiatr, Fr Eremito reminded the audience of the Lok Sabha poll due in 2019. And, he made a special plea to Irineubab to come out with a powerful tiatr with power-packed songs against communal forces. Fr Eremito apparently wanted Irineubab to ensure that the tiatr convey a strong message to protect Goa's secular fabric and to keep the communal forces at bay. Congress MLAs Reginaldbab Lourenco, Wilfredbab Babashan and AICC secretary Girishbab Chodankar were prominently seen on the dais when Fr Eremito made a plea to Irineubab. The battle for 2019 has just begun.
Unusual visitor at Arlem police quarters
Inauguration of Vijaibab's proposed police station for Fatorda constituency may have been delayed by the intervening election code of conduct in view of the by-poll for the Panaji and Valpoi constituencies. The police station under renovation at the abandoned police quarters at Arlem, however, have already played host to an unusual visitor a week ago. If sources are to be believed, a reptile made its way into the proposed police station, giving some anxious moments for those around. The men-in-uniform and the locals later heaved a sigh of relief after realisation dawned that the reptile turned out to be a python. The python was later rescued by forest officials, but not before questions did the rounds in police circles whether the presence of the python would ring in good news for the men-in-uniform. Only time will tell.
