GF against Pramod taking over BJP mantle?
News that Pramodbab Sawant may emerge as a new leader of the ruling party if Manoharbhai steps down due to ill health seems to have not gone down well with Goa Forward party. A leader of the regional party even went to the extent of saying that it will in no way support a “hawk” to head the government. The GF leadership may have reasons to justify their stand vis-Ã -vis Pramodbab. For, they recalled that Pramodbab had only recently courted a controversy when he said no one will be allowed to raise Viva Portugal slogans in the State. GF leaders in private apparently believe that insensitive leaders cannot be allowed captain a ship, more so when the storm raised by the GF decision to support the saffron brigade has refused to die down, more so in Saxttidom. Any questions.
Vijai ‘sabotaging’ Girish’s elevation
What makes Congressmen close to Girishbab Chodankar suspect the hand of bete noire and Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai behind the opposition brewing against the AICC secretary from taking over the GPCC mantle? The reason is not far to seek. It’s an open secret that Girishbab has managed to win many friends in the party hierarchy in Delhi over the last five years, ever since he headed the Congress student’s wing unit, NSUI. He, however, has a problem back in Goa with some of the Congress MLAs. Girishbab’s group apparently feels and believes that if not all, some of the party MLAs share a close rapport with the Goa Forward chief. And, they say in private that this close relationship between Vijaibab and the Congress MLAs has come in the way of the AICC secretary taking over the reigns of GPCC office simply because the TCP Minister does not want Girishbab to succeed Shantarambab. Any takers?
Congmen plan to ‘derail’ GPPDA chief
Why does a section of Congress leaders feel that Taleigao strongman Babush should not be allowed to settle down and go about work at the Greater Panjim PDA? Well, a senior Congress leader from Saxttidom was overheard asking the party men to ensure that Babush does not settle down in office. The news is believed to have travelled to the Goa Forward camp, with leaders of the regional outfit wondering whether there’s a hidden Congress hand behind the protests against the inclusion of certain areas into Greater Panjim PDA. The Goa Forward leadership is also trying to ascertain whether another MLA from Saxttidom, who shared a close rapport with the Taleigao strongman, made some adverse remarks against the Greater Panjim PDA Chairman at the CLP meeting. Wait and watch.
Luizinho giving up top post echoes
As AICC general secretary in-charge of Goa Chella Kumar has set in motion the exercise to shortlist Shantarambab’s successor, supporters of Luizinhbab Faleiro have a simple question to ask “ what went wrong with all the talk from party MLAs that the Congress would form the government if the Navelim MLA steps down from the post of State Congress president. Around October last year, a section of the party MLAs had all ganged up against Luizinhbab on the pretext that the Congress can return to power if he steps down from the GPCC post. Luizinhbab’s supporters recalled that some of the MLAs had even thundered that the Congress will return to power within 24 hours no sooner Luizinhbab quits the position. Is there any Congress MLA or leader who can answer Luizinhbab’s supporters?
Vijai’s mantra: The ‘afternoon siesta’
It was a week when Vijaibab Sardesai reiterated his resolve to shut down all business activities in the State to ensure that the Niz Goemkar take an “afternoon siesta”. There’s, however, a rider. The compulsory shut down of business activity will come about only in the event Vijaibab’s Goa Forward party comes to power on its own. This is not the first time that Vijaibab has favoured compulsory afternoon siesta for the residents of Goa for good and better health. Speaking at a diabetes health camp at the Ravindra Bhavan, Vijaibab said that people are so engrossed about their work and business that they make no time to take care of their health. Someone in the audience was overheard asking why the TCP Minister cannot enforce the no work, no business norm during noon time when he is a key member of the coalition government. Indeed a food for thought during the weekend.
