The show-cause notice issued to Congress leader Elvisbab Gomes for alleged anti-party activities has made for interesting reading. The reasons are not far to seek. While the party has moved swiftly against Elvisbab, social media has been abuzz with questions over why only GPCC chief Amitbab Patkar appears to have zeroed in on this bureaucrat-turned-politician, even as several party leaders and workers across constituencies have been accused of anti-party conduct. The selective action has triggered uncomfortable questions within Congress circles, making it a moment that clearly calls for serious introspection.
Atishi’s long haul in Goa sets AAP apart in ZP polls
As the curtains come down on the Zilla Panchayat elections, Aam Aadmi Party’s Goa desk in-charge, Atishibai Marlena, is set to return to the national capital after an intense and gruelling campaign in the State. Sources say Atishibai was the backbone of AAP’s electoral strategy during the just-concluded ZP polls, having camped in Goa for over a fortnight. Notably, no other political party in-charge is said to have stayed back in the State for such an extended period to supervise, monitor, and coordinate election efforts across constituencies. Any questions?
Vijai’s hands-on role for Cong reshapes Davorlim ZP contest
Davorlim has emerged as one of the most keenly watched Zilla Panchayat constituencies, where Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai was seen far more active on the ground than Congress leaders themselves. With Congress candidate Danny locked in a fierce four-cornered battle against the saffron brigade, sources reveal that Vijaibab personally stepped in to strengthen the campaign. On the eve of polling, he reportedly called Danny to the Goemkar Ghor to plug loopholes and fine-tune strategy. Polling day saw Vijaibab back in Davorlim, this time at the Rumdamol polling station, which plays a significant number of Muslim minority voters. Wait and watch.
ZP verdict to test Babashan’s behind-the-scenes clout
As candidates across constituencies wait with bated breath for the ZP results, former MLA Wilfredbab aka Babashan D’Sa, finds himself under intense public scrutiny in Nuvem and beyond. It is an open secret that Babashan worked actively for Aam Aadmi Party candidate Luis Barretto in Nuvem and Nelly Rodrigues in the neighbouring Colva ZP seat. The stakes are particularly high for Babashan, especially since the Congress spared no effort to repeatedly remind voters of his defection to the BJP in 2019. Political observers are now keenly watching what unfolds if Babashan-backed candidates emerge victorious in both Nuvem and Colva. Wait and watch.
Guirdolim’s surprise turnout puts Yuri’s gamble under lens
Will Leader of the Opposition Yuribab Alemao’s gamble of fielding the husband of BJP’s sitting Guirdolim ZP member Sanjana Velip as the Congress candidate pay off? This question dominated political chatter as Guirdolim recorded a notably high polling percentage, leaving observers and scribes puzzled by the unexpected voter turnout. With the saffron brigade led by Chief Minister Pramodbab Sawant pulling out all stops to retain Guirdolim, and an equally aggressive counter-campaign by Yuribab, the constituency has turned into a full-fledged political battlefield.
