The dethroned king of Navelim and the evergreenself-appointed satrap of Varca, Churchill Alemao moved out of his comfort zoneto meet his greatest political enemy Mickky Pacheco, at a neutral home at NagoaVerna recently. Churchill took along brother Joaquim and other siblings Ciabroand Roosevelt, to break the political ice between them.
Two one to one meetings between the two leaders have alsohappened subsequently. Mickky Pacheco confirmed the meetings, so have knownsources from the Churchill camp. Churchill sees a glimmer of hope of anelectoral resurrection if his disqualification petition against the BenaulimMLA Caitu Silva, alleging that he had registered as a Portuguese national, getsupheld. While the process will be long and a final judgment, traversing allcourts, may actually take the period of Caitu’s term, Churchill is making earlymoves. In the family meeting with Pacheco, whose fortunes have taken a 360degree turn for the better, the Alemaos put forth the following talking pointsaimed at healing their huge political chasm.
This was obviously done in casual conversation which lastedfor about an hour, as is Alemaos style. The four broad contours that emergedwere Churchill Alemao was open to contesting the Benaulim byelection, if it washeld with Pachecos support. As a further bonus, the Alemaos asked if their“laadli lakshmi”, Valanka could be fielded from the South Goa parliamentaryseat, again with Mickky’s blessings. While the possibility of Churchill joiningGVP (aft er resigning from the Congress) was touched upon, what was mooted wasan informal group of MLAs which could serve as a pressure group.
The Alemaos also sought to “move forward” and forget past differencesand help each other. This is being seen as nothing but a euphemism for Mickkyhelping them, in the event of major investigations ordered against any of theAlemaos by the Parrikar government. The PWD minister, reacting to The Goan’s investigationinto the PWD tender scam, said that a vigilance probe was has been ordered. Itis learnt that the Alemao clans biggest apprehension is a spate of inquiriesagainst Churchill by the Parrikar government and that is the biggest prioritybefore a political comeback.
What is important though is that Pachecho isn’t quiteprepared to take the Alemao bait.
He told The Goan “I have suffered a lot at their handsduring the death of my friend Nadia (Toraddo). They had no case against me andthe ruling congress and the Alemaos did their best to finish me politically.”So why is he meeting them? “In politics you need to meet even your enemy. Youhave to answer calls. I met them and listened to them but did not convey mydecision. Anyway I have a good candidate in Benaulim in case a by-election is held.No one can win Benaulim without Mickky.”
