Old habits, they say, die hard. And being a Councillor isone habit that Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida does not seem to forget. Even though heis the local MLA and Kadamba Transport Corporation Chairman, he has notforgotten his humble origins as a Councillor and still remains being one. Inthe wake of allegations that he has parted ways with Nana, Almeida not onlyturned up to vote for his panel but also posed for the mandatory pictures withformer colleague councillors. The Vasco MLA has always known how to multi-taskhis priorities.
Babu-dom at Gandhi Market
Slowly as the Congress losers have started appearing back inpublic life, the Margao market boy and Dhargalim's bad boy has also popped outof hibernation. But this time it’s no more politics. Babu Azgaonkar is busyselling tea and foreign Kraft cheese at his 'Babu Tea Corner' in the Gandhimarket, Margao as he mans the cash counter. Babu tells Political Patrao, "Politics was only social work, business is my bread and butter. No morepolitics for me but my social work will continue." Seems like Babu is at theend of his politic career. Babu's only qualms sitting in Margao has been hisagitiations for Mopa. Now he faces Xaxtikars daily who come to discuss Dabolimwith Babu and leave curse the Malbhat-Aquem residence for his previous stance.
Still driving the government
The giant killer Avertano Furtado has once again shown hismight. The goalkeeper turned politician has been seen as a weak politician withno achievements other than beating Churchill Alemao. But on Wednesday, on theoccasion of the feast of Our Lady of Rosary in Navelim, the entire BJP MLA’sbandwagon, the Collector, independent MLAs and deputy Collectors were allseated at lunch in Avertano's Sinquetim home. The giant killer seems capable ofbig things as the lone minister of Salcete.
Who casted the blank vote?
They had the numbers and they were united but PP wonders whowas the enemy within? As Mormugao Municipal Council elected its new ChairpersonFiola Rego, the score read 12-7 and a blank vote. It is commonplace knowledgein Vasco that the Ruling Council of 13 are held together by the mercuricindustrialist Nana Bandekar. But who betrayed his flock? The Opposition underformer Vasco MLA Jose Philip D’Souza is having the last laugh. “Barring theVasco MLA, who else could have been miffed with Nana?” wonders Philip. Histheory has some merit as his relationship with Nana has touched a nadir inrecent times. However, a shifty Carlos posing with Nana and other RulingCouncilors completed the happy family picture. In a Council which has State CongressMinority Chief and Mormugao Block President as Councillors supporting a BJPruled Council, PP wonders who forgot to tick the ballot – a miffed MLA or theOpposition Councillors?
