Is the Congress—or the broader non-BJP front—ready to accept Chief Minister Pramodbab Sawant’s gauntlet that the BJP will sweep the upcoming North and South Goa Zilla Panchayat elections? Post-Bihar results, the CM appears buoyed by confidence that both ZP seats will remain firmly in BJP hands. This, however, places the spotlight squarely on the Congress: does the party have any strategy up its sleeve to halt the BJP’s innings in these polls? After all, in the 2020 elections, the Congress had fared miserably, barely managing to win couple of seats. With Amitbab Patkar now at the helm, can the party at least clinch the South Goa ZP seat? Only time will tell.
Amit Sawant switch stirs Cong; High Command hits pause
The Congress camp has come under the scanner of political observers following the suspension of Goa Forward Party leader Adv Amit Sawant, his subsequent induction into the Congress, and the party high command’s directive to GPCC chief Amitbab Patkar to put that induction on hold. Questions are rife within Congress circles about who exactly orchestrated Sawant’s crossover from the Goa Forward Party—especially on the eve of crucial polls, when non-BJP forces are attempting to stitch together a united front. With many unanswered questions, observers are keeping a close watch on how this internal churn plays out.
Saxtti challenge looms as BJP finalises ZP candidates
As Chief Minister Pramodbab Sawant and BJP State President Damubab Naik spent an entire day at the party’s South district office finalising candidates for the ZP elections, a key question surfaced among political observers: how does the saffron brigade plan to navigate the crucial Saxtti belt, where nine of South Goa’s 25 ZP seats are at stake? The Lotus had bloomed in Guirdolim and Davorlim in the 2020 ZP polls, and the party is determined to retain those strongholds. But what about the remaining seven Salcete seats? Does the BJP have the cadre strength and organisational machinery to secure breakthroughs there? Or will the party rely on its age-old tactic of propping up or quietly supporting Independents to hold the fort? Wait and watch.
At temple event, Venzy’s remark on women’s safety raises eyebrows
At the inauguration of newly laid pavers at a Colva temple—funded by local ZP member Josephbab Pimenta—invitees were met with an unexpected question. AAP Benaulim MLA Venzybab Viegas suddenly asked whether women were afraid to approach him for work. For a moment, both journalists and attendees looked puzzled, unsure of what had prompted the query. It soon became clear that the MLA was drawing a comparison to underscore the peace and tranquility he says now prevails in the constituency, besides safety for women. Any questions?
Altone steals limelight with Quepem double celebration
It was a week when Congress MLA Altonebab D’Costa stole the limelight with a mega birthday-cum-wedding anniversary celebration in his home constituency Quepem. Senior Congress leaders Manikraobab Thakare and Anjalibai Nimbalkar appeared visibly pleased with the turnout of hundreds—if not thousands—of Altonebab’s supporters. Congress president Amitbab Patkar, Leader of Opposition Yuribab Alemao, CWC member Girishbab Chodankar, and other leaders attended in full force—not to forget Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai. Any questions?
