Will he, or will he not?
Ever since he returned back to Goa to head the Congress party, president Luizinbab had been keeping his cards close to his chest on the oft-asked question - whether he would contest the coming election from Navelim. In fact, over the last two years, Luizinbab had kept everyone guessing on one question - whether he would throw his hat in Navelim electoral ring. Time, however, seems to be running out for the Congress president. With less than three months to go for the 2017 Assembly election, time has come for Luizinbab to firmly speak his mind out on the much debated question. And, what better way for the Congress president to announce his decision vis-Ã -vis the coming election when the Congress padyatra touches Navelim soil next week. In fact, when people will be celebrating the Feast of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception on December 8, the Congress padyatra will enter Navelim followed by a meeting. Luizinbab’s close lieutenant and Navelim Congress block president, Conceissaobab Piexote and others, sources said, are expecting the Big Boss to take a call on his Navelim candidature. Will Luizinbab finally take a call next week? Wait and watch.
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I-T's a saffron roast
What is Mickkybab Pacheco up to? He came rushing to the media from Betalbatim to attack the saffron brigade for the I-T notices issued on the Church. He did not mince words when he challenged the Christanv Ministers and MLAs who are honeymooning with the BJP-led government to take a stand on the I-T notices or face the ire of the minority community. In the bargain, the flamboyant Nuvem legislator, who is bidding time for his homecoming into the UGDP, has come under the scanner of some Congress leaders. It’s an open secret that the Congress has been bracing to pocket the resentment against the I-T action against the Church in the coming poll. Mickkybab’s action, however, has raised many an eyebrow in the Congress camp. It is feared in many quarters that by openly taking on the saffron brigade over the I-T notice, Mickkybab is on the move in his bid to tap the resentment brewing amongst the minority community. It’s another matter that Mickkybab was once a coalition partner of the ruling government before he parted ways a month ago. Sounds interesting, isn’t it?
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Lionhearted bid in Navelim
Why has the MGP Lion suddenly began roaring in Navelim, when the BJP has a sizeable base in the constituency, which was once a congress stronghold? Well, local BJP leaders literally went overboard after they came across media reports that the MGP may stake claim on Navelim during seat-sharing talks between the coalition partners. Indeed, even political observers may agree that the MGP has come out from nowhere to stake claim for the seat, which had been assiduously nursed by the saffron brigade over the years. So, what really made the MGP leadership eye Navelim, knowing well that any decision to stake claim on the seat may only leaving members of the saffron brigade fuming.
Well, sources in the know say the MGP leadership is not too happy with the covert and overt move of some of the BJP leaders to flex muscles in Navelim in their bid to go alone in the coming election. The MGP, sources said, has been sympathetic towards low profile Minister Avertanbab, and did not accept the way BJP leaders went to the media with statements to contest the election against the Navelim MLA. It’s election time and alignment and realignment of forces is underway.
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