It was a week when the Baba from Panjim descended in Saxttidom with Margao’s Baba to drum up support for BJP candidate Pallavibai Dempo. Indeed, Shrinivasbab Dempo, affectionately called as Baba in football circles, was in Saxttidom to mobilise support for wife Pallavibai. He was accompanied by Dempo’s close family friend, Digambarbab Kamat, known in Margao circles as Baba, as they made their presence felt in the minority stronghold ahead of the May 7 polls. Wait and watch as Baba Dempo is expected to return to Saxttidom in the coming days.
Margao BJP comes out in strength for Pallavi, but ex-Dy CM missing
When BJP Lok Sabha candidate Pallavibai Dempo descended at Margao’s Pimpalkatta to seek the divine blessings of Lord Dambab earlier this week, the saffron brigade was present in strength to welcome the party candidate. The members of the original BJP and newcomers alike led by Diggu were all spotted at the Pimpalkatta. There was, however, a notable absentee “ ex-Dy chief minister Babu Ajgaonkar and his Gandhi market vendors’ brigade, throwing up a question of whether the party leadership did not invite the Ajgaonkar brothers. Sources informed that Babu’s brigade stayed away simply because the ex-Dy CM was not personally invited by the BJP party leadership. Interesting, isn’t it?
Churchill eyeing Cong ticket for Valanka in S Goa?
It was a week when reports did the rounds about whether Varca strongman Bab Churchill was eyeing the South Goa Congress ticket for daughter Valankabai. In fact, the news did the rounds on whether Churchillbab was in touch with a key Congress leader in Delhi in a bid to secure the south Goa seat for his daughter. Churchillbab, however, seemed keeping his cards close to his chest. He has neither denied nor confirmed the reports, only telling the media to wait and watch.
Cong observer's lack of initiative questioned as party drags feet
Where’s Congress Goa desk observer Manikrao Thakare is a question asked in the Congress circles even as suspense persists in the Congress camp over the declaration of candidates for the two Goa Lok Sabha seats. Party leaders in private say the Congress observer should have got all the warring factions together to kick-start the campaign without waiting for the High Command to declare the candidates.
In fact, a senior party leader remarked that if the BJP had started the campaign to seek votes for the Lotus, the Congress leadership ought to have followed suit by going to the voters with a plea to vote for the symbol of hand. Any questions?
All eyes on Cong CEC pick as party workers kept guessing
Last time GPCC chief Amitbab Patkar and Opposition leader Yuribab Alemao landed at the Dabolim airport from Delhi after a meeting of the Congress Central Election Committee (CEC), the duo announced that the Congress has finalised a candidate for South Goa who will represent the voice of Goans in the Parliament. As it turned out, however, the decision on the candidate was later kept on hold for reasons best known to the party leadership. The duo, who had an audience with the High Command in Delhi on Friday, are believed to have sent indications to party workers that the party has stuck to the candidate finalised by the CEC. Wait and watch.
