In the ongoing tussle for control within the Congress party, Leader of Opposition Yuribab Alemao appears to have secured a firm foothold in the party organisation. Recent appointments of new district presidents suggest that Yuribab has not only ensured the elevation of his trusted aide, Assiz Noronha, as South Goa district president, but may also have influenced the selection of leaders in the remaining districts. What lies next on Yuribab’s agenda? Ask the Opposition leader, and you are likely to hear that more changes are in the pipeline. What exactly are these developments? Just wait and watch.
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Cong-GFP equations back in focus after Mumbai meet
Congress chief Amit Patkar and Goa Forward leaders Vijai Sardesai and Durgadas Kamat with Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge at a reception in Mumbai.Just a day after Leader of Opposition Yuribab Alemao asserted his influence within the party, a photograph surfaced and quickly went viral in political circles. The image captured GPCC Chief Amit Patkar alongside Goa Forward Party chief Vijai Sardesai and Durgadas Kamat in the company of none other than Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge at a wedding reception in Mumbai hosted by a Maharashtra Congress leader. Goa Congress desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare was quick to downplay its significance, stating that one should not read politics into what was essentially a social gathering. However, sources suggest that Sardesai was formally introduced to Kharge during their brief interaction—fuelling speculation in political circles. You know why.
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Cuncolim turf battle in spotlight as Churchill drops political hint
It was a week when Varca strongman Churchill Alemao stirred the pot with his remark that people from Cuncolim have approached him to contest from the constituency currently represented by his nephew, Leader of Opposition Yuribab Alemao. Whether Churchill will actually step into the fray in Cuncolim remains to be seen, but the remark has certainly revived memories of 2002. Back then, the Congress fielded his younger brother Joaquim from Cuncolim after the Alemaos reportedly warned then Goa desk in-charge Ramesh Chennithala that Joaquim would cross swords with former Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro in Navelim if he was denied a ticket from Cuncolim. Any questions?
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Cong S Goa shake-up raises questions over AAP strategy
The removal of South Goa district president Saviobab D’Silva has also raised eyebrows, particularly among Congress workers in Velim and Benaulim. These constituencies, currently represented by the Aam Aadmi Party in the Assembly, recently saw a Congress resurgence in the Zilla Panchayat elections. D’Silva had echoed grassroots sentiments opposing any alliance with AAP, expressing confidence that Congress could reclaim ground independently. His exit, therefore, has led to murmurs within party ranks in both Velim and Benaulim—whether his removal is part of a plan to pave the way for the entry of certain leaders into the Congress. Only time will tell.
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Quiet but relevant? Low-key Faleiro stays in the game
Former Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro with Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz at his residence.Though maintaining a relatively low public profile, former chief minister Luizinho Faleiro continues to be a quiet hub of political activity at his Borda residence. Visitors—from seasoned politicians to aspiring leaders—frequently drop in, seeking advice or gauging his plans ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. Among the latest to call on him was Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixon Vaz, who is believed to be eyeing a political move towards Benaulim. What role, if any, will Faleiro play in the evolving political landscape? For now, that too remains under wraps.
