Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Amitbab Palekar’s reported invitation to the Congress to unite on Gandhi Jayanti to usher in a “revolution” certainly makes reading interesting. Sources both within and outside AAP circles were left wondering: Did Amitbab have the mandate from the party’s Delhi high command — including Arvind Kejriwal — to engage with the Congress? For, the timing is curious. Just two days ago, the two Goa AAP MLAs had supported the Congress candidate for the Speaker’s post — but “under protest”. In fact, both legislators had publicly vowed never to share a platform with the Congress again. Intriguing, isn’t it?
With Patkar in Patna, Cong holds fire on AAP salvo
Goa Congress chief Amitbab Patkar was reportedly in Patna on Thursday, just as AAP legislators in Goa not only severed ties with the Congress but also accused the main opposition party of “betrayal”. While many expected the Congress to issue a strong rebuttal, the party was conspicuously absent from the political battlefield. The legislative wing sidestepped the media, stating that a formal response would be issued only after Amitbab Patkar’s return from Patna. Wait and watch.
Twin jolts for Yuri: Paroda power shift, Chandor leader’s AAP entry
It’s a sheer coincidence or not — that significant political developments have unfolded in Cuncolim, the constituency represented by Opposition Leader Yuribab Alemao. First, the Paroda village panchayat slipped from Yuribab’s control after both the sarpanch and deputy sarpanch were voted out of office. Notably, Paroda is the home village of former MLA Clafaciobab Dias. Soon after, former Chandor Sarpanch Saviobab Henriques was inducted into the Aam Aadmi Party. Together, these two developments have become the latest buzz in the Cuncolim countryside. You know why.
Builder’s political ambitions put SGPDA file under spotlight
The South Goa Planning and Development Authority (SGPDA) routinely processes numerous development files from real estate developers and the general public alike. However, one particular file has recently become the cynosure of all eyes —and the reason isn’t difficult to decipher. The file in question, submitted by a real estate developer, who has reportedly shown interest in politics, seeks approval for the development of a big lot of land within the Margao Municipal area. Ordinarily, such a file might have passed unnoticed through the system. But with the builder’s growing political ambitions, the spotlight has turned sharply on this application. Wait and watch.
Majorda bullfight tragedy raises questions on politicians’ silence
The tragic death of a 42-year-old man, gored during a planned bullfight in Majorda earlier this week, has raised a host of troubling questions. For starters — how many politicians have come forward to condemn the bullfight or offer condolences to the bereaved family? What does the Goa Police have to say about the continued staging of illegal bullfights along the Salcete coastal belt, often taking place right under their very noses? And, what about the intelligence failure? Just two days prior, a similar bullfight was held at Colva. Yet, no preventive action seems to have followed. Have the men in uniform identified what went wrong?
