Is the Congress up to some strategy in dealing with ruling BJP’s coalition partners “ be it the Sardesai, the Dhavalikar, the Khaunte or the Alemao “ who are all supporting the Manohar Parrikar-led government? Party rank and file have begun to wonder why the leadership has not been consistent in attacking the coalition partners for supporting the BJP when they and their MLAs had won the 2017 Assembly election on a strong anti-BJP plank. Many in private have failed to understand why the leadership has not called for their resignations and seek re-election along with Manoharbhai and Jr Rane in the ensuing bye-poll. Even AICC secretary Girishbab Chodankar appears muted in his reaction of late, raising suspicion whether the Congress is up to some strategy, that the party do not want to antagonize the BJP coalition partners, in the hope of garnering their support in the future. Sounds interesting, isn’t it?
All eyes on GF support for RS candidate
Goa Forward supremo and TCP Minister Vijaibab Sardesai says that the nascent regional outfit has not taken any decision on the question of supporting the candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat. A host of questions, however, has come to the fore within his party and outside ahead of the Rajya Sabha poll. One, whether the Goa Forward will blindly support the candidate propped up by the major coalition partner, the BJP, given that he is now technically a member of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance. Or, whether the Goa Forward will back and support a Niz Goemkar, irrespective of party affiliations, who swears by Goem, Goemkar and Goemkarponn, and who will protect the interests of the state in Delhi. His opponents have accused Vijaibab for bringing BJP to power through the back door. Wait and watch whether Vijaibab and his Goa Forward will help the BJP to round up its tally in Parliament 3-0 with the North and South Goa Parliamentary seats already in the kitty of the ruling party.
Babu defends his position
Ask Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader whether any of the party heavyweights, including leaders from Saxttidom, are after him to step down and pave way for them to take over the mantle of the Legislature party. And, the diminutive four-time Quepem MLA will be quick to firmly deny that any of the heavyweights have asked him to step down from the post till date. But, hold on. Babu says that he has got CLP position on merit, given his seniority in the party compared to many of the heavyweights. And, he substantiates his statement by saying that other than the Sr Rane, he is the senior-most MLA in the party, having won the Quepem seat continuously since 2002 and is part of the Congress for a long, long time. On the other hand, Babu claimed that the records of the heavyweights will show that either they had suffered defeats in their long career or have embraced the Congress from other parties. Any takers?
Power official transfer bid a suspense
Hazard a guess who was the politician who made an abortive bid to transfer a power official from Margao,
before Diggu put his foot down? Well, sources said that a senior power official, a resident of Benaulim, was sought to be transferred from Margao sub-division to North Goa by a heavyweight politician without any rhyme and reason. The heavyweight politician, sources said, lobbied hard with Power Minister Madkaikarbab before an agitated Diggu questioned the interference of the politician in his Margao constituency, more so when the official had a proven track record. The Power department had no option than to do a re-think on the transfer after Diggu put up a note, making a strong case to retain the official in Margao. The question that remains unanswered till date was why was the politician so determined to send the official packing to North Goa. Has it got something to do with Benaulim politics. Only time will tell.
Who’s next for Curtorim ZP seat?
The Curtorim Zilla Panchayat constituency seemed to have proved lucky for the ZP members to further
their political career and make it to the Legislative Assembly. In a sheer coincidence, two former members of the Curtorim Zilla Panchayat seat, Reginaldbab Lourenco and now Clafaciobab Dias, have made it to the Assembly. In fact, the Curtorim ZP seat is perhaps the lone ZP seat going for a bye-election for the second time in the last 17 years, with Clafaciobab quitting the district panchayat body after his election as MLA of Cuncolim constituency. Has the Reginaldo-Clafacio duo have
anyone in mind as their candidate for the Curtorim ZP seat. Last time around, J Santanbab Rodrigues had made it to the ZP body in 2007 when Reginaldbab was elected to the Assembly on the Save Goa Front. Wait
and watch.
