MARGAO
On the eve of the planned entry of bureaucrat-turned-politician Elvis Gomes in the Congress, resentment is brewing in the Cuncolim Congress camp headed by former Minister Joaquim Alemao and son Yuri as the camp witnessed a flurry of political activity throughout Saturday.
With supporters questioning the induction of Elvis in the party on Sunday, as evident by the stream of visitors calling on the duo since morning, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Chief Girish Chodankar rushed to Varca on Saturday evening, ostensibly to soothe ruffled feathers.
An upset Joaquim Alemao preferred to offer no comments on Sunday’s induction of Gomes. He, however, could not contain his anger when he claimed that the very same Elvis was out to defeat the Congress-backed candidates in the Cuncolim Municipal Council polls.
Girish was closeted with the Joaquim-Yuri duo and Joaquim’s close supporters to reassure the former minister that the entry of Elvis has nothing to do with the ticket for 2022. He downplayed his presence at Joaquim’s Varca residence, saying he had come to keep the father-son informed about the party’s decision to give entry for Elvis on Sunday.
Joaquim told The Goan that the Congress party workers are very much upset over the party’s decision to induct Elvis into the party. “Isn’t he the same Elvis who was till recently attacking the Congress party saying there’s no difference between Congress and the BJP. He is the same Elvis who was out to defeat the Congress-backed candidates and is now seeking entry into the party fold,” he added.
Incidentally, Joaquim gave a clean chit to both the GPCC Chief Girish Choidankar and the Leader of Opposition, saying he does not suspect their hand in getting Elvis into the party.
The Goan understands that the ruling Cuncolim councillors descended on the Varca residence of the former Cuncolim MLA and had discussions on the political developments unfolding in the party. Some of them are believed to have questioned how come the Congress party is inducting Elvis when the party led by Joaquim-Yuri duo had worked hard to keep the Congress flag flying high in Cuncolim by winning majority seats in the Cuncolim civic polls.
Meanwhile, with the Congress leadership giving him the green signal to join the party, the former AAP state convenor is gearing up to embrace the party on Sunday. The formal induction function is planned in Panaji on Sunday evening.
Sources said the GPCC Chief’s visit to Varca to call on the Alemaos assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of Friday’s chaotic situation at the South Goa District Congress office during the induction of former independent MLA Benjamin Silva into the Congress fold.
