Is former Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief Girishbab Chodankar all set to return to the party’s top post in Goa? According to his supporters and well-wishers — both within the Congress and outside — the answer is a ‘Yes’. However, opponents appear to be gearing up to strongly resist his return. Since reports did the rounds in political and media circles on Friday evening about a possible change in GPCC leadership, Congress leaders and workers — split into various factions — have been scrambling to verify the development. The game has just begun in the run up to the upcoming polls.
Faction gears up to oppose Chodankar’s reappointment
The battle to control the Congress party’s State organisation looks set to intensify, with a section of the party preparing to oppose Girishbab Chodankar’s return to the GPCC helm. This group, which is opposed to the continuance of current GPCC chief Amitbab Patkar, has made it clear that a Chodankar comeback will not be welcomed. In fact, sources suggest that a delegation of party workers is planning to head to Delhi or Bengaluru to lobby against Girishbab’s reappointment. The internal wrangling continues, and all eyes are now on the Congress high command. For now, it’s a classic case of wait and watch.
Political undertones at Clafacio’s Paroda b’day as allies close ranks
Former Congress-turned-BJP MLA from Cuncolim, Clafaciobab Dias, celebrated his birthday this week in his native village of Paroda. While the event itself was relatively a low-key, the political undertones were hard to miss. The celebration came just days after Clafaciobab’s group in the Paroda panchayat successfully voted out the Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch backed by current Cuncolim MLA Yuribab Alemao. Among the guests were a couple of MLAs from the 10-member group that famously quit the Congress in 2019. Also present was Varca strongman Bab Churchill, adding further political weight to the gathering. A coincidence?
Cuncolim move kept under wraps as AAP springs political surprise
In a move that caught many off guard, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) made a quiet yet strategic entry into the constituency of Cuncolim — home turf of Leader of Opposition Yuribab Alemao. Interestingly, the entire operation was kept under wraps until the last minute. Sources reveal that even AAP Goa chief Amitbab Palekar was informed of the Cuncolim development just moments before the media briefing. The official media invite made no mention of any induction or activity in Cuncolim, keeping everyone — including Congress and AAP circles — guessing. You know why.
No tie-up: AAP eyes grassroots push in Venzy, Cruz bastions for ZP polls
With a tie-up between the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) appearing unlikely for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat elections, two constituencies set to draw considerable attention are Benaulim and Velim — currently represented by AAP MLAs Venzybab Viegas and Cruzbab Silva respectively. If sources are to be believed, AAP is expected to go all out to capture the Zilla Panchayat seats in these two Assembly segments. The party reportedly sees this as an opportunity to assert its grassroots strength and send a clear message to the Congress. Wait and watch.
