Clash of the titans
Who will control the affairs of the panchayat bodies in Navelim constituency – incumbent MLA Luizinhbab Faleiro or his predecessor Avertanbab Furtado? This question has come to the fore in the constituency represented by the state Congress president since the time the panchayat election results were out on Tuesday, with both the camps leaving nothing for chance. Avertanbab, it appears, seems to be in a great hurry, trying to cobble up the numbers in the panchayats to have his men installed as sarpanchas. In the bargain, he seems to have on a mission to prove a point or two to the Congress president that he just cannot be written off in Navelim despite his defeat in the Assembly election. That he has been ferrying the newly-elected panchas to Manoharbhai Parrikar in Panaji indicates that he means business. Luizinhbab, on the other hand, has not lagged behind either. He has exuded confidence in having his supporters at the helm of panchayat affairs. Wait and watch till Monday.
Humility personified
It was a week when this four-time MLA and former forest minister seems to have managed to retain his hold in Velim constituency. Filipe Neribab Rodrigues was very much holed up at home, closely monitoring the political developments as sarpanch after sarpanch owing allegiance to former MLA Benjaminbab fell like hairpins. Unlike other high-profile politicos, Filip Neribab, however, preferred not to go to town in his inimitable fashion, trumpeting the victory of his aides in the election. Instead, he maintained his composure as his supporters got elected to the panchayat bodies, right from Assolna to Sao Jose de Areal, Chinchinim to Sarzora. The panchayat election apparently came as a barometer for the four-time MLA to prove his popularity, more so after he bounced back in the Velim political scheme of things. Any questions?
Missing in action
Where was the flamboyant, Mickkybab Pacheco when panchayat election results started trickling in from the South Goa Collectorate? While local MLA Wilfred Babashan’s camp went to town telling all and sundry that their men will control the panchayats in Nuvem constituency, there was no word from Mickkybab, more so when he had told the media that his supporters had their hat in the Panchayat electoral ring. It was only later that realization dawned on the scribes that Mickkybab was not in town, but was on a short tour abroad. It’s still unclear whether Mickkybab will have control over any of the panchayats in Nuvem constituency. In Majorda, his close aide and sitting sarpanch Moisesbab Vaz has retained his seat, but doubts are raised whether any of the new faces belong to his camp. Wait and watch as election for the three wards of his home panchayat Betalbatim are scheduled on July 1.
Carmona conundrum
Varca strongman Bab Churchill was holed up at the government rest house at Moti Dongor when counting of votes was underway at the district collectorate building. While Churchillbab was apparently keeping a close track of the election results from the rest house, his personal assistant Elvisbab Gomes made his presence felt at the counting center midway through the process. Elvisbab’s presence raised many an eyebrow in media circles, leaving many a scribe to wonder whether Churchillbab’s PA was drafted for the job of roping in newly elected panchas wherever the stakes were down for the big boss. As it turned out, everything went well in favour of the strongman, barring Carmona. However, one question that remained unanswered is why Churchillbab, who had come prepared to brief the media along with his newly-elected panchas, later decided to have the media interaction at Varca. No reward for the right guess.
B’day dampener
It turned out a dry birthday as the TCP Minister Vijaibab Sardesai preferred to seek Saibab’s blessing at Shirdi instead of throwing a birthday bash this year. Unlike a year ago, when ‘Black Label’ flowed on the Dovondem bandh, there was no celebration at all this time round. Sources said that Vijaibab along with his close lieutenants Ramnarthbab, Alisonbab and trusted aide Venkatbab were in Shirdi on his birthday before returning to Pune. The TCP Minister’s opponents are trying to find out what prompted the irrepressible Vijaibab against celebrating his birthday when the Dovondem bandh used to come alive in the past on June 14. They are trying to find out whether it had anything to do with post-March 11 decision to bring the saffron brigade to power – a decision considered unpopular with Fatordekars in particular and Shastikars in general. Only time will tell.
