MARGAO
The Congress camp was rattled again on Monday over the Coconut tree issue, with MLA Vijai Sardesai’s Maad Yatra set to enter the party’s stronghold of Velim on Sunday.
A day after Vijai tied-up with South Goa district Congress office bearer and a strong contender for the Velim ticket, Anthony Babush Rodrigues, to hold the yatra in Velim, former chief minister, Digambar Kamat got in touch with the Fatorda legislator to find out the details of the programme that will be passing through Velim, a constituency that has been represented thrice by former minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues, and who is making a comeback bid once again.
It is learnt that Kamat called up Vijai after former Velim MLA and Congress leader Filipe Neri used his good offices with the former chief minister seeking details about the yatra. When The Goan contacted Filipe Neri to shed light on the development, he confirmed that he had got in touch with Kamat to seek details from the Fatorda legislator about the proposed Velim yatra.
“I only wanted to know from Kamat whether the yatra is open for all people, including Congress workers and leaders alike. Since Vijai has confirmed about the Sunday rally, I have decided to consult my supporters and Congress workers before offering any comments on the yatra,” Filipe Neri said.
On the other hand, Vijai told The Goan that the proposed yatra in Velim will roll down through the main Chinchinim-Velim road on Sunday evening as suggested by former ZP member Anthony Babush.
“Anthony Babush has taken the initiative to organise the yatra in Velim,” Vijai said, giving indications that the organisation of the yatra has been entrusted to the former ZP member, who is perceived as Vijai’s candidate in Velim for the coming poll.
Asked whether the Velim Maad Yatra will be open for Congress leaders as was the case in Pernem, Vijai said Anthony Babush has already taken the initiative to organise the programme in a big way.
Anthony Babush, sources said, is believed to have started the yatra arrangements in right earnest and is hopping from one village to another to mobilise supporters for the show. He told The Goan that the yatra will kick off from St Sebastian Chapel, Chinchinim and will wend its way through the constituency before culminating at the historic Lohia Chowk for a public meeting.
The Goan understands that Anthony Babush was huddled with senior Goa Forward leaders on Monday to work out details about the proposed yatra and ensure that everything works according to a well set plan.
The yatra will also make its presence felt at the daylong dharna organised by Orixtt Porjecho Avaz opposing the DefExpo at Betul on Sunday.
