It was a week when the bonhomie between PWD Minister Digambarbab Kamat and Health Minister Vishwajitbab Rane was once again on full display in Margao. The Health Minister was in the city to launch the Wellness Centre in Diggu’s own backyard — Malbhat. And what better opportunity than this for Jr Rane to shower praises on the former Chief Minister? In fact, Jr Rane acknowledged that Diggu has been advising him from time to time and even credited him for ushering in development in his home constituency. He reminded the audience that Diggu was the brain behind the South Goa District Hospital, giving full credit to the PWD Minister for pushing the project forward. Any questions?
Zuari settlement move revives talk on Rane–Vijai relationship
It was also a week when the state of relations between TCP Minister Vishwajitbab Rane and Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai became the hot topic in political circles. The reason is not far to seek. The Goa Forward chief filed a written objection to the TCP’s move to convert Zuari land from industrial to settlement use — around midweek. Then on Thursday, while in PWD Minister Digambarbab Kamat’s backyard, Rane hit out at the Opposition, saying that joining hands doesn’t help form a government — an apparent reference to the show of unity by the Opposition during Vijaibab’s Narkasura competition. Any questions?
After Kannadiga backlash, GFP and Cong face RG equation test
As Kannadiga leaders breathed fire at the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP), the focus of attention shifted to the non-BJP parties — including the regional Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Congress. Questions are now being raised in political circles about how these two parties, whose leaders had recently shared a stage with RG supremo Manojbab Parab at the Narkasura competition on the SGPDA grounds, will handle their relationship with RG in the run-up to the upcoming polls. The reason: These two parties, especially the Congress have their own voter base in their areas of influence — ones they cannot afford to antagonise. Wait and watch.
POGO first, not anti-BJP fronts: RG chief draws alliance red line
Revolutionary Goans chief Manojbab Parab has been forthright in saying that his regional outfit is not interested in alliances with non-BJP parties if the sole objective is merely to dislodge the BJP from power. Raising many an eyebrow in political circles, Manojbab said the RG will approach future alliance talks on the basis of POGO (Persons of Goan Origin) as the common meeting point with other non-BJP parties. By outlining this narrative, the RG chief made it clear that the POGO cause is more important than any short-term political alliances. Any questions?
Cong fears anti-migrant narrative may backfire in Goa, Karnataka
Can the Congress afford to take a tough anti-migrant stand in Goa à la the Revolutionary Goans Party? That’s the question doing the rounds following the war of words between Kannadiga leaders and the RGP. Sources in the Congress say irrespective of the fact whether the migrants vote for the party or not, the party cannot afford to adopt a tough stand against these voters. That’s not all — any hard line stance against migrant groups, including Kannadigas, may also invite backlash from Kannada groups in neighbouring Karnataka, where the Congress is in power. Any takers?
