‘Xit koddi’ without the
staple coconut?
It was a weekend when Manoharbhai Parrikar was candid in reiterating that fish is a staple food for him as well as for Goans at large. The Chief Minister was in Saxttidom on Saturday morning to inaugurate the India International Seafood show at the Ravindra Bhavan and Manoharbhai could not resist the temptation of informing the exporters and the delegates from India and abroad that as a Goan, he would not even like fish to be exported outside. One of the speakers even recalled that how Manoharbhai decided to return home after giving up the powerful Defence portfolio for missing Goan Xit koddi in Delhi. This brings back to the ongoing campaign by the Mahila Congress against the soaring coconut prices, with Pratimabai and Binabai posing a query or two to the Chief Minister “ whether Niz Goemkar can enjoy Xit koddi without the staple coconut. Indeed a time for introspection.
Subsidised coconuts from Vijai’s ‘backyard’
Agriculture Minister Vijaibab Sardesai is facing a million dollar question “ how to dispose of the 5,000 coconuts he has harvested from his coconut plantation this week. The figure is indeed sizeable given the scarcity of coconuts in the market. Vijaibab, however, has a problem of sorts. He can very well make available the coconut at subsidised rates or even distribute free for his constituents in Fatorda, but is equally aware that being a Minister and that too an Agriculture Minister, distributing the coconuts at bare minimum prices or free to Fatordekar may send a wrong signal to Goemkars at large, who are equally facing the brunt of coconut shortage. Wait till February 1 as Vijaibab has announced plans on Republic Day to make available subsidised coconuts for Goemkars @ 30 coconuts for every household at Rs 20 per coconut from next month.
Mickky takes ‘credit’ for road works
It was a week when a visibly agitated Mickkybab Pacheco questioned the road works launched in Nuvem constituency by incumbent MLA Wilfred Babashan D’Sa. The flamboyant former Nuvem MLA demanded to know whether a first time MLA can execute road works within an year of election, as he apparently tried to drive home the message that whatever road works launched in the constituency were planned and approved during his tenure. Sources said Mickkybab is believed to have not taken kindly to Babashan’s remarks that he has taken road works in Verna-Utorda and Loutolim, where his predecessors had failed to execute during their tenure. That Mickkybab is not ready to concede even an inch of space for the incumbent MLA despite having set his eyes on neighbouring Benaulim indicates that Nuvem will continue to remain in his political scheme of things. Wait and watch.
Shantaram-Vijai connection
That GPCC chief Shantarambab Naik and his family shares a close rapport with TCP Minister Vijaibab Sardesai is an open secret. And, that some Congressmen even went to the extent of complaining to none other than Rahul Gandhi after Shantarambab sanctioned CCTV cameras to Fatorda under his MPLAD scheme is now history. Those who attended the Republic Day celebration at the South district Collectorate earlier this week saw how Shantaram and wife Bina gelled well with the TCP Minister. The trio was the cynosure of all eyes inside the VIP enclosure, as the TCP Minister lent his ears to the husband-wife Congress duo. The GPCC chief has been cautious in his criticism of the Goa Forward party headed by Sardesai since he took over the party reigns a couple of months ago. And, Vijaibab has reciprocated by treating Shantarambab with due respect, while not sparing the Congressmen. Any questions?
Durgadas still in the saddle?
Fisheries Minister Vinodabab Paliencar and his OSD Durgadasbab Kamat were amongst the guests who were spotted at the Ravindra Bhavan at the India International Seafood show during the weekend. Many a scribe and people in politics were taken aback when they found the Vinoda-Durga together, more so when news did the rounds earlier this week that Goa Forward supremo Vijaibab has asked Durgabab to put in his papers from the post of OSD. Durgabab was quick to clarify that he hasn’t yet put in his papers from the post of OSD to the Fisheries Minister, saying he would do so by Monday or Tuesday to tender his resignation. The question now being asked in political circles within Goa Forward and outside is who will take Durgabab’s place as the OSD to the Fisheries Minister. Wait and watch.
