Arrest raises more queries than answers rThis may sound interesting. Chief Minister, Manoharbhai Parrikar and his TCP Minister, Vijaibab Sardesai appear convinced that accused Francis Pereira was behind the spate of desecrations in Salcete and elsewhere over the fortnight. However, one question that remains unanswered is simple “ whether the duo now think that these acts of vandalism were intended to destablise the three month old coalition government. Just a day ago, Vijaibab had gone to the media saying that the desecrations are not only aimed at him, but is being carried out by destablise the coalition government. Vijaibab, in particular, appears satisfied that Francis and only Francis is behind the spate of desecrations. That bring us to the core question - whether the TCP minister still believes that Francis had a hand in attempts to destablise the government. Manoharbhai may have an answer. rrBlow hot, blow coldrWhat’s Varca strongman Churchillbab really up to? A day ago, he demanded that Manoharbhai should either nab the miscreants involved in the desecrations or quit. He had threatened to lead people on the streets after the Assembly session if Manoharbhai fails to nab the culprits. The weekend, however, saw Churchillbab calling on NDA’s presidential candidate Ramnath Kovind at Bogmalo ostensibly after receiving a call from the saffron brigade. That’s not all. When everyone believed that Churchillbab has come to convey his support for Kovind’s candidature, the Benaulim MLA said he would take a call on voting as per the party’s diktat, indicating Churchillbab’s love-hate relationship with the saffron brigade. Is he now waiting for the NCP Goa unit president Jose Philip D’Souza to receive the party’s communique on the presidential election. Ask Churchilbab and he says that he is waiting for a call from NCP’s all-powerful Prafulbhai Patel on the issue. How’s that? rrChoosy pickingsrWho are the members on the Ravindra Bhavan, Margao headed by Goa Forward Party chief spokesman Prashantbab Naik? While the Goa Forward party has ensured that the Ravindra Bhavan is headed by a party leader, a glance at the composition of the Committee reveals that members of the saffron brigade, both former and present members of the BJP, has found a prominent place on the panel. While Sujaybab Lotlikar, who had quit the BJP to join hands with Vijaibab is right there on the panel, the BJP brass has managed to get three of their nominees on the body. However, two members on the panel, who are the cynosure of all eyes appears to be educationist Cherylbai Colaco and tiatrist cum producer, Johnbab Miranda, both hailing from Fatorda constituency. While Johnbab had stood by Vijaibab in the Assembly elections and post March-11, sources said Cherylbai is the wife of former Margao Municipal chairperson Elinobab Colaco. Any questions? rrPolitical crossroadsrFlamboyant Mickkybab Pacheco finds himself at the crossroads in his political career spanning a decade and half. Three months ago, his Nuvem fort came crumbling down in the Assembly election when friend turned foe Wilfredbab ‘Babashan’ stopped his free political run, handing him a defeat in his political career. Even as the former minister vowed to make a political comeback, his home village Betalbatim has now gone in the hands of his political opponents, raising questions in Nuvem’s political circles whether the former three-time MLA has hit a dead end after these recent elections. The former MLA, however, has told his close aides that the recent elections that the opposition should not underestimate him. And, he does not consider the reversals in the recent elections as the end of the political road, even going to the extent of saying that both the Betalbatim-Nuvem as well as the Betalbatim-Colva-Benaulim roads are still open for him. rrMaster ‘stroke’rThe incomplete South District Hospital has come in handy for Diggu to beat the BJP on his home turf. In fact, Diggu is one politician who has exploited the long-delayed district hospital to his advantage in both the municipal as well as the assembly elections. Now, Diggu has posed a strange question for the saffron brigade. He has demanded to know why the BJP government has whitewashed the incomplete hospital building when it will take more than a year to commission the project. Diggu does not accuse the saffron brigade of pulling wool over the eyes of Madgavkars over the long-delayed hospital project in his inimitable style, but his very question has sent the right message to the people at large. The hospital building is lying whitewashed since the time of Parsekar-led government. Will anyone throw light on the reason behind whitewashing the building without its completion?
