IT WAS a week when the irrepressible Congress MLA Reginaldbab Lourenco received an early morning unexpected visitor at his Curtorim residence. Bete noire GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar is believed to have walked into his residence early morning, apparently to say let bygones be bygones. Reginaldbab must have been taken by surprise over Girishbab’s presence at his doorsteps given their nature of animosity. What transpired at the meeting isn’t clear and whether the duo had discussions over tea or coffee. One thing, however, is clear that Girishbab is on the job to mend fences with his adversaries. Wait and watch.
THOSE HOPING for a change in GPCC leadership within the Congress and outside are still trying to grapple with the question how the High Command finally settled for the status quo. Indeed, questions are being asked whether Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saved the day for Girishbab Chodankar when the tide was against the GPCC Chief in the leadership tangle. Many say Girishbab’s continuation in office has come as a surprise even for top party leaders. Alexiobab Sequeira’s name, sources say, did the rounds for the top post before Rahul put his foot down to ensure that his loyalist remains firmly in the saddle.
LIKE MANY a Saxtti political satrap, flamboyant Mickkybab Pacheco has virtually been a one-man party. He used to call the shots during his stint in parties including the UGDP, NCP and the Goa Vikas party. One question doing the rounds is how Mickkybab will adjust himself in a party such as the Congress, more so when he had been at loggerheads with a many a Congress leader in the past. He is still not part of the party hierarchy and the decision-making process. In the recent appointments of block chiefs, he was not consulted on the nominee for Nuvem. Wait and watch if the party will get his men installed at the helm of Benaulim block.
ONCE BITTEN twice shy, so goes the saying. Goa Forward Chief Vijaibab Sardesai appears not ready to wait till the last moment for Congress to take a call on poll alliance. He had sought Congress ticket in 2012, but had come a cropper. In 2017, Vijaibab was looking forward for a tie-up till the last, but had to contend with as Congress candidate in the fray. With his Team Goa proposal evoking lukewarm response, Vijaibab has kicked off his campaign from August 1, with plans to open party offices in many other constituencies after Ganesh Chathurti, including Margao. What’s the message Vijaibab is trying to convey to the Congress camp. No prizes for the answer.
WHY DID Varca strongman Bab Churchill suddenly train his guns at Congress leader P Chidambaram who has been drafted by the party High Command to prepare the national party battle ready? On the eve of PC’s visit to Goa, Churchillbab recalled how he had won the Navelim seat in 2007 despite Chidambaram’s repeated visits to the constituency in support of Kumpar Luizinhbab Faleiro. Political observers are trying to find out what made the Varca strongman direct his tirade at the High Command-deputed senior Congress observer for Goa. Sounds interesting, isn’t it?
