Reading into Babu's bail plea
The courts would be least interested to know whether the government is out to stop Leader of the opposition Babu Kavlekar from taking over the reigns of Chief Minister. Senior Congress leaders, however, may be certainly keen to figure out what made Babu mention in his anticipatory bail plea that he has been accused in the criminal offence to ensure that the Congress does not form the government under his leadership. No doubt, given his status as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader, Babu is the first choice for the post of Chief Minister. Questions, however, are doing rounds in Xasttidom whether the seniors would ever allow Babu to become the CM in the event the coalition government is reduced to a minority. Any questions?
If LOO goes, who's next?
Leader of the Opposition Babu Kavlekar's fate will be known on Monday when his bail will come up for hearing before the Margao court on Monday. Questions, however, have been raised in Congress circles in Xasttidom as to who will emerge as Babu's successor to Leader of Opposition (LOO) post in the event the government further tightens the screws on the opposition leader. Indeed, Congress circles was abuzz with speculations as to who amongst the senior party leaders, including a host of Chief Ministers, would succeed Babu on the hot seat. And, the political grapevine was abuzz with speculations during the weekend whether the Congress leader who is perceived very close to Manoharbhai or the leader who has been the target of the Chief Minister for long now would fit the bill in the Congress scheme of things. Wait and watch.
BJP's surprise action
Anti-Corruption Bureau's action against Leader of the opposition Babu Kavlekar did raise many an eyebrow in Xastti's political circles. Coalition partners supporting the Manoharbhai government were certainly not an exception. In fact, members of the coalition partners, sources say, were indeed taken aback when the government made a covert and overt attempt to lay hands on the Leader of the Opposition. It is learnt that Manoharbhai did not drop any hints to leaders of the coalition partners on the imminent ACB and Crime branch action against Babu, so much so they had to rely on their sources to update themselves on the episode. It was only after the saffron brigade supported the government's action and demanded Babu's resignation that Goa Forward Supremo Vijaibab spoke his mind when he asserted other parties have no role to play in deciding Babu's fate. What exactly is the message from Vijaibab?. Read between the lines.
What is Diggu trying to say?
What did Diggu actually meant when he publicly stated that the party leadership underestimates Margao in the scheme of things. Diggu was speaking at the launching of youth Congress membership exercise in the city during the weekend in the presence of Congress chief Shantarambhau and others. While making a fervent plea to the youth congress to enroll highest number of youth in the organization, Diggu called upon the young brigade from Margao to prove a point or two to the party leadership. "The party leadership underestimates Margao. I have won seven elections from Margao, but the party leadership still does not believe. You have to prove to the leadership through the membership drive that hum bi kuch kam nahin", Diggu thundered. For a moment, the audience as well as the leader were trying to figure out what message Diggu was trying to convey to the leadership via the youth Congress platform.
Shamila's fate hangs in balance
Suspense continues over the fate of the Director of Fisheries Shamilabai Monteiro as the Chief Minister seemed not in any hurry to take a call on her suspension. It's now over a week since Fisheries Minister Vinodbab Palienkar had recommended suspension of the Fisheries Director. It was widely anticipated that the Chief Minister would act on Vinodbab's recommendations by Monday last, but the Chief Minister is taking his own time on the issue. Sources said Manoharbhai finds himself in a piquant situation. Any decision to reject Vinodbab's recommendation may only leave the minister embarrassed. At the same time, Manoharbhai, sources said, is treading a cautious path. Is the Chief Minister working out a via media solution? Wait and watch.
Mickky making his presence felt
Flamboyant Mickkybab Pacheco must have holed up abroad most of the time post-March 11. But, whenever he is down in Goa, the former Minister makes it a point to interact with the media, apparently in a bid to make his presence felt around. While many a detractor see the end of Mickkybab's political career after the defeat in the 2017 husting, the former MLA has no plans to retire so soon. When he is down in Goa, he goes into a huddle with the UGDP leadership in order to revive the regional party. And, despite his outbursts against the coalition government, sources said that Mickkybab shares good rapport with Manoharbhai, with whom he had bene enjoying a love-hate relationship since 2002.
The courts would be least interested to know whether the government is out to stop Leader of the opposition Babu Kavlekar from taking over the reigns of Chief Minister. Senior Congress leaders, however, may be certainly keen to figure out what made Babu mention in his anticipatory bail plea that he has been accused in the criminal offence to ensure that the Congress does not form the government under his leadership. No doubt, given his status as the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Leader, Babu is the first choice for the post of Chief Minister. Questions, however, are doing rounds in Xasttidom whether the seniors would ever allow Babu to become the CM in the event the coalition government is reduced to a minority. Any questions?
If LOO goes, who's next?
Leader of the Opposition Babu Kavlekar's fate will be known on Monday when his bail will come up for hearing before the Margao court on Monday. Questions, however, have been raised in Congress circles in Xasttidom as to who will emerge as Babu's successor to Leader of Opposition (LOO) post in the event the government further tightens the screws on the opposition leader. Indeed, Congress circles was abuzz with speculations as to who amongst the senior party leaders, including a host of Chief Ministers, would succeed Babu on the hot seat. And, the political grapevine was abuzz with speculations during the weekend whether the Congress leader who is perceived very close to Manoharbhai or the leader who has been the target of the Chief Minister for long now would fit the bill in the Congress scheme of things. Wait and watch.
BJP's surprise action
Anti-Corruption Bureau's action against Leader of the opposition Babu Kavlekar did raise many an eyebrow in Xastti's political circles. Coalition partners supporting the Manoharbhai government were certainly not an exception. In fact, members of the coalition partners, sources say, were indeed taken aback when the government made a covert and overt attempt to lay hands on the Leader of the Opposition. It is learnt that Manoharbhai did not drop any hints to leaders of the coalition partners on the imminent ACB and Crime branch action against Babu, so much so they had to rely on their sources to update themselves on the episode. It was only after the saffron brigade supported the government's action and demanded Babu's resignation that Goa Forward Supremo Vijaibab spoke his mind when he asserted other parties have no role to play in deciding Babu's fate. What exactly is the message from Vijaibab?. Read between the lines.
What is Diggu trying to say?
What did Diggu actually meant when he publicly stated that the party leadership underestimates Margao in the scheme of things. Diggu was speaking at the launching of youth Congress membership exercise in the city during the weekend in the presence of Congress chief Shantarambhau and others. While making a fervent plea to the youth congress to enroll highest number of youth in the organization, Diggu called upon the young brigade from Margao to prove a point or two to the party leadership. "The party leadership underestimates Margao. I have won seven elections from Margao, but the party leadership still does not believe. You have to prove to the leadership through the membership drive that hum bi kuch kam nahin", Diggu thundered. For a moment, the audience as well as the leader were trying to figure out what message Diggu was trying to convey to the leadership via the youth Congress platform.
Shamila's fate hangs in balance
Suspense continues over the fate of the Director of Fisheries Shamilabai Monteiro as the Chief Minister seemed not in any hurry to take a call on her suspension. It's now over a week since Fisheries Minister Vinodbab Palienkar had recommended suspension of the Fisheries Director. It was widely anticipated that the Chief Minister would act on Vinodbab's recommendations by Monday last, but the Chief Minister is taking his own time on the issue. Sources said Manoharbhai finds himself in a piquant situation. Any decision to reject Vinodbab's recommendation may only leave the minister embarrassed. At the same time, Manoharbhai, sources said, is treading a cautious path. Is the Chief Minister working out a via media solution? Wait and watch.
Mickky making his presence felt
Flamboyant Mickkybab Pacheco must have holed up abroad most of the time post-March 11. But, whenever he is down in Goa, the former Minister makes it a point to interact with the media, apparently in a bid to make his presence felt around. While many a detractor see the end of Mickkybab's political career after the defeat in the 2017 husting, the former MLA has no plans to retire so soon. When he is down in Goa, he goes into a huddle with the UGDP leadership in order to revive the regional party. And, despite his outbursts against the coalition government, sources said that Mickkybab shares good rapport with Manoharbhai, with whom he had bene enjoying a love-hate relationship since 2002.
