Singing new tunes post exit polls
Goa Forward Party mentor Vijaibab Sardesai virtually dropped a bomb on the eve of the counting of votes. His comments that Raksha Mantri Maoharbhai Parrikar is a formidable chief ministerial candidate and MGP’s Sudinbhai a capable CM’s material candidate, has raised many an eyebrow in the Congress camp. The comments also assumed significance as it comes against the backdrop of exit polls predicting a hung assembly in Goa. Sources in the know said that Congress leaders, who are not opposed in doing business with Goa Forward party if the nascent regional outfit wins a couple of seats, called up Vijaibab to persuade him not to take any hasty step that may play spoil sport for the secular forces. Incidentally, Congress factions, opposed to any tie-up with the Goa forward Party, say that Vijaibab’s comments are only aimed at browbeating the Congress leadership to settle for a Congress leader as leader of Congress leadership party instead of State Congress president Luizinhbab Faleiro. Any doubts?
Deja vu all again?
State Congress president Luizinhbab Faleiro’s comments that the Congress is not averse in doing business even with the MGP or Goa Suraksha Manch has only brought back memories of the early 90’s when then Congress leadership headed by Pratapsingbab Rane and Luizinhbab Faleiro had formed the government without UGDP support. Local political observers say that by making the statement, Luizinhbab has sent clear signals to his bete nore and bitter foe Vijaibab Sardesai that the Congress can still form the government without Goa Forward Party support. In the 1994 election, the UGDP led by then supremo Churchillbab Alemao had won three seats, all from Xasttidom, leaving the Congress stranded midway in forming the government. Pratapsingbab Rane, observers says, did not seek Churchillbab’s support and held him responsible for dislodging his government in 1990. And, Luizinhbab then, was engaged in a running battle with kumpar Churchillbab. Wait and watch.
Food for thought
Who will win the Cuncolim seat, is a hotly debated question doing the rounds in the taverns and tintos dotting across the constituency spread in the villages of Macazana, Guirdolim, Chandor, Paroda, Ambaulim, besides the area in the Cuncolim Municipal jurisdiction. Well, the fate of Cuncolim Congress candidate Clafaciobab Dias, election observers say, will be known in the first round of counting itself on early Saturday morning. For, the poll officials will take up for counting EVMs from the villages of Macazana, Guirdolim and Chandor, where Clafaciobab has a strong presence. Both the Clafaciobab camp and the rival Joaquimbab camp admit that the fate of the Congress candidate will be known in the first round itself if one of them secures a comfortable margin against the immediate independent rival. A narrow margin, sources say, may not ring in good news for the Congress candidate, as the votes from parts of Cuncolim town and Chandor are expected to be taken up in the second round, where Joaquimbab has claimed his strong presence. Hazard a guess who’s the candidate who has engaged caterers to prepare food for his supporters in anticipation of his victory on March 11. Wait and watch.
Overwhelming support
Will Varca strongman Bab Churchill manage to make inroads into Colva village and take a lead over his rivals for the first time in his political career? Well, Churchillbab is bubbling with confidence that Colvenkars will stand by him this time round and give him the much-needed edge against his rivals. So, why is the Churchill camp so confident of making a breakthrough in Colva this time round? The reasons could be varied, they say. One reason could be that many a bitter foe, who had in the past opposed his candidature, have supported the former PWD minister in the 2017 Assembly election. And, one person, who must have supported Churchillbab after a long, long time is none other than Caitubab’s former personal assistant and former PSU student leader Elvisbab Gomes. Elvisbab, who is now into big-time fishing business, has told his close aides and the media that they have all worked for Churchillbab’s success this time round. Any questions?
Divine intervention
The near month and half long gap between polling and counting gave ample of time for the candidates to go on pilgrimages and take a break after the gruelling election campaign. Information has revealed that Vailankani in Tamil Nadu and Shirdi in Maharashtra turned out the two major pilgrimage centres for politicians of all hues as they headed to these places to seek blessings of the almighty. The latest politician who has returned home after visiting Vailankani is flamboyant Mickkybab Pacheco, who is seeking his fourth election in his political career spanning a decade and half. Mickkybab, sources said, had headed to Vailankani with a group of 25 supporters to seek blessings of Our Lady of Vailankani for his electoral success. And, take note, almost all the candidates are expected to reach the counting hall on Saturday after visiting the local churches and temples. Praise the Lord!
