Detractors train their guns on Luizinho
Will he or won’t he put in a fresh resignation letter before Soniaji and son Rahulji to relieve him from the post of GPCC chief? Indeed, Luizinhbab Faleiro has come under the scanner of leaders both within the Congress and outside over his continuance as the Goa Congress president. Close aides of the Navelim MLA, however, said that Luizinhbab may not put in his papers again, with his resignation letter submitted more than a year ago is still pending with the Sonia-Rahul duo. But, with the Congress president taking shelter of the letter, every time questions are raised both within the party and outside over his continuance as the PCC chief, the question whether Luizinhbab should dash off a fresh resignation letter to the Sonia-Rahul duo is presently doing the rounds in Congress circles. A fresh resignation letter, Luizinhbab’s detractors say, would convey the Congress chief’s seriousness to the Sonia-Rahul duo that he is not too keen in presiding over the party affairs. Are there any takers?
Viola getting into active politics?
It was a week when Betalbatim was abuzz with reports that Violabai, wife of flamboyant former Minister Mickkybab, would throw her hat in the electoral ring for the Betalbatim panchayat poll. Opponents of the Pacheco’s even went to the town claiming that certain wards have been reserved for women OBC to pave way for Violabai to make her debut in panchayat politics. Mickkybab, however, has put to rest all speculations that his wife is keen in contesting the ensuing Panchayat poll. In fact, Mickkybab claimed that Violabai will not contest the election, but will head the panel of candidates for the Betalbatim panchayat body and will also oversee the elections across Nuvem constituency. As a parting shot, Mickkybab told the media that Violabai, who had in the past headed the regional outfits, Goa Vikas Party and the Goa Su-Raj Party, will be a candidate for the next Assembly election for the Nuvem constituency. Any questions?
Digambar gives Vijai’s Comba visit a ‘slip’
It was a week when TCP Minister Vijaibab made his maiden visit in Diggu’s fiefdom Margao -- more than a month after joining hands with the BJP to form the new government under Manoharbhai Parrikar. As Vijaibab descended in the constituency to inspect the Comba subway, officials and citizens alike were overheard asking about Diggu’s absence. Many an eyebrow was indeed raised at the Comba subway not only over Diggu’s absence, but over the presence of local BJP leaders, including BJP-backed councillors swarming around Vijaibab at the inspection. The Vijaibab camp, however, was quick to maintain that the TCP Minister was very much keen to have Diggu for the subway inspection. In fact, Vijaibab’s lieutenant Ramnarthbab was put on the job to confirm Diggu’s presence, only to be told that the Margao MLA was out of station on Thursday. It’s another matter that Diggu was very much in Margao on Friday morning to launch hot mixing works in his constituency. Sounds interesting, isn’t it?
Churchill in Bahrain, but mind in Benaulim
Varca strongman Bab Churchill may be holed up in Bahrain since the last one week, even celebrating his birthday in the Gulf country with daughter Vanda, wife Fatimabai and son Saviobab. The Benaulim MLA, however, has been keeping a close tab on what’s happening in his home constituency, more so with the panchayat election less than a month away. When his close aides conveyed their resentment to him over the reservation of wards, he did not let them down. In fact, Churchillbab is believed to have pulled the right strings in the government he is presently supporting to effect some changes in the ward reservation, giving relief to some of his close supporters. Churchillbab, who is likely to return home next week, does not make bones of the fact that he had to put his foot down when the government just went about reserving wards for OBC without rhyme or reason.
Avertano is still in the game
Post March 11, there’s been a change in political guard in Navelim constituency, but this goalkeeper turned politician isn’t going to hang his boots and stay at home for the next five years. In fact, former Navelim MLA and former Fisheries Minister Avertanbab Furtado makes it a point to regularly inspect works of all the seven football grounds underway in the constituency. A former goalkeeper, Avertanbab has now vowed to ensure the completion of all the grounds, besides the indoor sports complex proposed opposite the Dr Francis Luis Gomes district library. He must have failed the test in the February Assembly election, but Avertanbab takes pride in inviting all and sundry, including the media, to have a look at the ongoing works at the football grounds, which will further take football to great heights. Any questions?
