It has been rather eventful in Goa's political ring over the last week. First, there was talk of a group of MLAs switching sides from the Congress to the ruling BJP.
The twist to the tale was the impromptu visit of the Congress' Goa Desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao whose fire-fighting exercise over the weekend, has seemingly helped the Congress, to stave off the 'Operation Lotus' at least for now.
Rao's direct attack on two of the senior most MLAs -- Digambar Kamat and the Opposition Leader Michael Lobo -- rattled the rebel camp and the much reported and anticipated mass defection was put off. The drama ended much like the popular Konkani folk song 'Aiz ietolo, falleam ietolo pavonn pavona' with the group of designated renegades never reaching their destination on the other side of the political aisle.
So, was it merely a storm in the teacup?
Not really if the words of one of the eleven Congress MLAs Carlos Fereira Alvares, who in reaction to all the reports flying around said: "There is so much talk of it. There cannot be smoke without fire."
Meanwhile, there's an explanation in science, it seems, behind why what was to happen did not happen. Newton's third law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
If for the Congress, its top two leaders Digambar Kamat and Michael Lobo were the sabotagers, in Gundu Rao's own words, there was also a sabotager equal and opposite to the Kamat-Lobo duo on the other side of the aisle... the needle of suspicion points to the State's far east taluka of Sattari.
Script incomplete, game on
While the central Congress leaders who parachuted to the little State at the last minute managed to preempt the move by a section of its legislative members to defect into the BJP, the game is far from over.
Various theories are doing the rounds for the failed attempt which was initially deemed to be as good as a sealed deal.
From an MLA who developed cold feet at the last minute due to a section of the clergy asking the congregation to put pressure on their MLAs, all this loose talk among the journos and the politicos are of little significance.
It's a bit astounding though, how, seasoned politicians like Digambar Kamat and Michael Lobo failed in their calculations. The duo may have failed in the first attempt but one can always try again, until one succeeds.
Who knows! In the second attempt they may hit the jackpot.
As one little birdie among the group who are ready to fly across chirped: The game is very much on.
Lobo has lost his voice and swagger (WITH PIC)
Leader of Opposition Michael Lobo’s silence in the ongoing assembly session is deafening.
Lobo, who had said that Congress would raise issues affecting the people of Goa, has so far been the quietest among the lot in the House.
So what is it that must be working on his mind? Is it the failed attempt to defect with two-third of the ‘Congis’ into the BJP or the disqualification petition filed by the Congress before the Speaker after the attempt fizzled out?
One thing is certain though. The Leader of Opposition has been rattled with the action initiated by TCP Minister, Vishwajit Rane whether it is suspending the Outline Development Plans (ODPs) along the Calangute-Candolim coast or tabling the report in the House reviewing the irregularities in the ODPs vis-Ã -vis the properties belonging to the Opposition Leader.
Not forgetting the FDA raids on his restaurants where he has got some reprieve.
Once upon a time, Lobo was known to make ‘bobo’ inside and outside the House, whether as an MLA or a minister and was the darling of the media with press conferences happening at the drop of a hat.
But then he was with the ruling BJP and the party tolerated his tantrums. For now though, Lobo appears to have lost his voice and the swagger.
Politics is indeed a great leveller.
Utpal v/s Babush (WITH PICS)
That the recent torrent of rains flooded the roads of the capital city is not something that surprised many. It happens every year. But what did come as a surprise is the flood waters washing Utpal Parrikar afloat onto the capital city's political scape.
After a hiatus of sorts post his unsuccessful but impressive outing in the 2022 assembly elections, Parrikar Jr lambasted the MLA-Mayor father-son Monserrate duo, and warned that this 'Monserrate Enterprise' will doom Panaji.
Babush didn't waste time. Without naming, but obviously meaning, his 'friend-sometimes-enemy-sometimes' former chief minister the late Manohar Parrikar, the capital's current MLA hit back saying Utpal should first find out who was ruling Panaji for 25 years before he (Babush) came on to the scene.
In response, Junior was left defending the larger-than-life legacy of his father and attacking the current leadership of the BJP for tolerating the 'Monserratean' insult to the legacy of the saffron party's best known icon.
Business as usual in House
The political tempest outside had little or no bearing on the proceedings of the monsoon session of the Goa Legislative Assembly which began on Monday.
Opposition Leader, Michael Lobo and Digambar Kamat continue to sit on their seats at the head of the seating arrangement for the 11 Congress MLAs although the latter's State president has filed disqualification pleas against the duo before the Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar.
A letter, purportedly removing Lobo as CLP leader, has also prompted no action from the Speaker as yet, although he has formally said that he has taken cognisance of the disqualification pleas which will be taken up only after the end of the monsoon session.
In the meanwhile, who will replace Lobo as Opposition Leader is being keenly watched as the decision is deferred and in all probability will come from 10 Janpath.
(Compiled by Ashley do Rosario with inputs from Agnelo Pereira)
