Call it a strange coincidence or otherwise, INDIA bloc and alliance partners seemed rooting for a young and dynamic candidate for the South Goa seat in the May 7 Lok Sabha polls. Goa Forward party has come out openly against the candidature of sitting four-time Congress MP Francisbab Sardinha. Now, AAP Benaulim MLA Venzybab Viegas has told the Congress to field a strong, dynamic and young candidate for South Goa. Will the Congress High Command take cognizance of the opinions of the Alliance partners or will the party place its bet on the veteran horse, who has never lost a Lok Sabha election. Wait and watch.
Will Cong snub Sardinha, nominate Capt Viriato for South Goa LS seat?
Will the Congress nominate an ex-serviceman Captain Viriato Fernandes for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat in place of four-time sitting MP Francisbab Sardinha. Well, this question did the round in Congress circles and on the social media after the BJP fielded a captain, an ex-army man, Brijesh Chowta for the Dakshin Kannada Lok Sabha seat in neighbouring Karnataka. Take note, the BJP top brass has picked Capt Brijesh for the Dakshina Kannada seat by replacing two-time party MP. Supporters of Capt Viriatbab were quick to raise a question whether the Congress would nominate an ex-serviceman in Goa. Wait and watch.
CM woos minorities in Curtorim, promises Vailankani pilgrimage
Chief Minister Pramodbab Sawant was at his usual best when his juggernaut descended in minority Curtorim constituency earlier this week. In an apparent bid to woo the minorities, he used all weapons in his armory to drive home the point that BJP isn’t communal. What must have, however, impressed the crowd was when the CM told the people to raise their hands if anyone intends to embark on a pilgrimage to Vailankani. When a couple of hands did go up, the Chief Minister was heard telling the photographers to click photographs, promising to send the people on the pilgrimage. Interesting, isn’t it?
Denial of LS tickets to sitting MPs in K’taka echoes in Goa BJP camp
Denial of Lok Sabha tickets to a couple of sitting MPs in neighbouring Karnataka has triggered a debate in political circles, whether the denial of tickets has anything to do as they were considered rabble-rousers in many quarters. The BJP leadership’s decision had an echo in Goa, becoming a talking point in local political circles whether the Karnataka episode holds a lesson or two to Goa’s ruling politicians indulging in soft polarisation with repeated references to Portuguese, temples et al. Wait and watch.
Will Oppn unveil action plan on issues plaguing South Goa?
What’s next on the Opposition agenda as they have come out strongly to express their reservations over the Goa Cabinet’s decision to set up a private medical college at the South Goa district hospital? Well, both the Congress led by Opposition Leader Yuribab Alemao and Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai have demanded clarity on the medical college. The moot question remains unanswered. Will the two Opposition parties be content in expressing their reservations via the media or will they unveil an action plan to force the government to listen to the voice of South Goa people? In the recent past, the two parties were quick to slam the BJP dispensation on the Dabolim airport issue. Sadly, no action has been seen on the ground as more and more airlines are shifting operations to Mopa. Indeed time for introspection.
