What’s cooking on Davondem bandh?
When TCP Minister Vijaibab Sardesai descended in the SGPDA retail fish market earlier this week, many may have mistaken his visit to the market renovation. Little did anyone realise that Manoharbhai was scheduled to visit Saxttidom and the Goa Forward supremo had invited the Chief Minister for lunch on the Davondem bandh. It is learnt that before Manoharbhai started his official engagements in Margao, he first dropped in on the Davondem bandh before he and Vijaibab travelled together for the EDC office branch inauguration. Before returning back to Panaji after the grueling three and half hour long waste management programme at the Ravindra Bhavan, Manoharbhai is believed to have headed straight to the Davondem bandh where Vijaibab was waiting to play a prefect host “ the second time in as many months. Any questions?
CM tries his mantra yet again in Salcete
It was a week when Manoharbhai Parrikar returned to Saxttidom to reassure Saxttikars and Goemkars down south that his government will not discriminate against them. Manoharbhai even went to the extent of reassuring Goemkars that his government will work out schemes in the event Brexit force many a Niz Goemkar to return home from London. What, however, took many a scribe surprised was the fact that Manoharbhai does not stop reassuring Saxttikars every time he descends on the minority heartland during his official visits. Is Manoharbhai trying to convey a message to Saxttikars or people down South that the 2017 electoral verdict “ where the BJP drew a blank in Saxttidom -- will in no way weigh his decisions on the development front? Only time will tell.
GF mute on carnival episode
It was a week when the Goa Forward leadership appeared muted to the reported warning held out by Pramodbab Sawant to those chanting Viva Portugal in Goa. The Goa Forward leadership, including Vijaibab Sardesai, had a year ago moved with alacrity soon after joining hands with Manoharbhai to form the coalition government, to slam right wing elements and the Sadhvis for demanding hanging of people consuming beef. It was indeed surprising that Pramodbab’s reported warning and those who thundered that carnival is not Goan culture, went without any challenge from the regional party leaders. And, it is a sheer coincidence that the task of taking head on Pramodbab and other saffron brigade leaders on issues such as Viva Portugal and carnival fell on the musical warriors including Sidhanathbab Buyao and Sudinbab Dalvi. Sounds interesting, isn’t it?
Avertano’s political career at ‘crossroads’
Former Fisheries Minister Avertanbab Furtado’s political career appears virtually at the crossroads. Notwithstanding his defeat in the 2017 Assembly election at the hands of Luizinhbab Faleiro, Avertanbab had taken the result in his stride in his inimitable style. That he took keen interest in the panchayat elections that followed sent clear signals that he may be down, but not out politically. Of late, however, sources said that Avertanbab has been maintaining low key in Navelim. Speculations were rife that the saffron brigade has told the goalkeeper turned politician to embrace the BJP if he wants the ruling party’s backing in Navelim. And, the political grapevine doing the rounds in Navelim countryside is that he has come close to Vijaibab Sardesai. For the moment, Avertanbab prefers to maintain a low key, giving no indication whether he would move towards the right or centre right or maintain his independent status.
Damu plans a comeback
Former Fatorda MLA and BJP leader was in the thick of action as the BJP top brass headed by party National Joint Secretary Shiv Prakash descended at the South district office located in Fatorda. While Damubab, sources said, was present at almost every meeting Shiv Prakash had with various party groups, what, however, assumed significance was the meeting Shiv Prakash had with the Fatorda BJP mandal, which is strongly aligned to Damubab Naik. Sources in the know said that the Fatorda block members were given a host of tips by Shiv Prakash and others, including a fiat to strengthen the party organisation in Fatorda to meet future challenges. It was still unclear whether the future challenges includes taking on Goa Forward party supremo and TCP Minister Vijaibab Sardesai in his fiefdom Fatorda. Wait and watch.
