Without GF, number game a difficult proposition for Cong?
Can the Congress hope to form an alternate government minus Vijaibab and his Goa Forward party? The question may appear simple, but it has triggered a debate and brought face-to-face Congressmen, including MLAs and partymen. The question is indeed debated in party circles with senior party leaders in private saying that the Congress should not form the government unless the party musters support of minimum 23 MLAs. Leave aside the BJP and GFP, which together accounts for 17 MLAs, can the Congress, which has 16 MLAs, claim support of the remaining seven MLAs. The moot question that remains unanswered is whether all the Independent MLAs will abandon Vijaibab and the government to join hands with the Congress. Isn’t the number game a difficult proposition? And, is that the reason why Goa Forward supremo in private says that no new government can take over the reigns without GF help? Only time will tell.
Modi-Shah duo an obstacle
Will the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo allow the Congress to form the government in a prestige battle between the BJP and Congress leadership ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election? Even local Congress leaders have begun to raise this question in party circles as formation of an alternate government is the talk of the town in recent days. In fact, party leaders say that Shantarambab’s advice to the Congress leaders that the party should stake to form the government with clear numbers sounds interesting, more so when news is doing the rounds in coalition circles that the Modi-Shah duo may go all out to hang on to power by all means and stop the Congress from returning back to the saddle. After sounding confident of forming an alternate government, caution seems to be the catch word amongst Congress leaders. How’s that?
Dr Chella Kumar poses moot question
AICC general secretary, Dr Chella Kumar had a question or two for Congress MLAs during his two-day visit to the State last week. With many party MLAs seeking to link election of the new party president to government formation, Chellaji is believed to have reminded the MLAs of their promise made last time round to form the Congress government within 24 hours if Luizinhbab Faleiro steps down as GPCC chief. While pointing out that it’s now months since their promise of government formation has not materialised, Chellaji is believed to have questioned these MLAs whether they can form the government in the immediate future. The Girishbab camp within the Congress, sources said, appears impressed by Chellaji’s stand, more so when his candidature is sought to be sabotaged by many a MLA on grounds that the AICC secretary came up as a stumbling block to Congress government formation. Any questions?
Digambar in an aggressive mode
An “aggressive” Diggu seems to have not let down his diehard supporters and workers on his assurance to pursue aggressive politics. On his birthday celebration on March 8 last, the six-time Margao MLA had thundered at midnight that he would pursue aggressive politics, sending politicians, both within the Congress and outside, in a tizzy. Living up to the expectations of his workers and supporters, Diggu has now emerged as a strong contender for the post of State Congress president. That he is bracing up to travel the length and breadth of the State to take on the saffron dispensation became evident when he exhorted his workers back home to rise up to the challenge in his fiefdom Margao since he may be required to devote more time across the State. Diggu’s opponents within and outside the Congress are closely watching his movements.
Mauvin talks of ‘work is worship’
It was a week when social media was abuzz with reports on the dinner being hosted by Panchayat Minister Mauvinbab Godinho on Good Friday. Critics were quick to raise an eyebrow over the dinner being hosted at a starred resort in the capital city by a Goa Cabinet Minister and that too on Good Friday. It was only later that realisation dawned that Chief Minister Manoharbhai Parrikar was initially scheduled to host the dinner for delegates at a Law seminar which was being attended by legal luminaries, including Chief Justice of India Dipak Mishra. Aware that his opponents may play mischief and train their guns at him, Mauvinbab said he is hosting the dinner in Manoharbhai’s absence given his status as the State’s Protocol Minister. And, he sought to further silence his critics by saying that he believes in the good old adage “work is worship”. Any questions?
