SAXTTI MASALA
Will BJP leader and Vijaibab Sardesai's bete noire Damubab receive a call from Manoharbhai to attend the inauguration of the Fatorda police station on Dussehra day? This question is doing the rounds in Fatorda constituency as the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio, will descend in Fatorda on the auspicious Dussehra day to inaugurate the police station, the brainchild of the TCP Minister. In the past, when the saffron brigade was in power during the last five years, Damubab had virtually called the shots when it came to Fatorda though he was out of power. Much water, however, has flown down the River Sal post-March 11. Not only Damubab's bid to make a political comeback had come a cropper, but his arch rival is now a strong partner in the Manoharbhai-led coalition government. This is perhaps the second time Manoharbhai will descend in Fatorda with Vijaibab in tow after the duo joined hands post-March 11. Wait and watch.
Vijai-Nilesh equation
It was a Sunday when TCP Minister Vijaibab Sardesai travelled all the way to BJP MLA Nileshbab Cabral's backyard - the historic Chandor village to preside as chief guest of the Seamen's soccer finals.
Vijaibab's visit assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the visit to the village by Cabral a fortnight ago to hear grievances of the villagers on the controversial State highway and the subway at the railway crossing. Many an eyebrow was raised at the football finals when the TCP Minister spoke more about tourism than planning, how to bestow the heritage tourism status on Chandor. And, before returning back to Margao, Vijaibab rallied behind Chandorkars to oppose the State highway passing through the village towards Curchorem, earing kudos from the villagers. Sounds interesting, isn't?
From Fisheries dept to Goa Police
Fisheries Director Shamilabai Monteiro is finally shunted out from the Fisheries department with Chief Minister Manoharbhai Parrikar working out with a via media solution. Striking a delicate balance, Manoharbhai did not suspend Shamilabai as recommended by Fisheries Minister Vinodabab Paliencar. At the same time, the CM gave some face saving for the Fisheries Minister by shunting Shamilabai as OSD to the Director General of Police. Questions are being raised in administrative circles whether an officer, hailing from the Directorate of Fisheries, can be shunted out to the police department. While Vinodabab Paliencar and boat owners close to him from Saxttidom may rejoice over the CM's decision, there were others, who have questioned the rationale behind shunting out an official from one department to another. Any questions?
Development in Fatorda rattles Congmen
Did outgoing Rajya Sabha MP Shantarambhau's decision to allot projects in Vijaibab's Fatorda not go down well with Congress leaders opposed to the TCP minister. Well, no sooner it became evident that the former Rajya Sabha MP and incumbent State Congress president sanctioned the 250 CCTV cameras and other projects for Fatorda, many a congressmen were indeed upset with the decision. Sources in the Congress informed that those having access to the party in Delhi even raised the issue with the top political brass. The loyalist, as Shantarambhau is often called by the party workers, however, appears least concerned about what some of the local leaders have to say on the CCTV cameras and other projects as long as they serve the public at large. Any takers?
Aleixo's men continue at helm of Cong panels
The patrao from Nuvem must have taken political sanyas after being denied the Congress ticket for the Nuvem seat in the 2017 Assembly election. Heavyweight politician and former Power Minister Aleixobab Sequeira's men, however, continue to head the South district Congress committee. If Subhashbab Faldessai, a close aide of Aleixobab, and a long-time district president, has finally moved to the PCC after presiding over the affairs of South district committee for over a decade, Aleixobab's another close lieutenant Joebab Dias has now made it to the coveted post in the organisational election.
Joebab's nomination was the lone paper received by the Returning Officer for the South district president. Hazard a guess how Joebab has made it to the coveted post. Wait and watch.
