Has the Congress leadership crisis finally been resolved by the party High Command during the recent visit of senior leaders to the national capital? None of the leaders returning from Delhi could confidently confirm that the issue has been settled. Questions continue to swirl — both within Congress circles and outside — over whether GPCC chief Amitbab Patkar will continue at the helm, or if Girishbab Chodankar will manoeuvre his way back to the coveted post. There’s also talk that the party may seek a consensus candidate to keep both camps satisfied. Wait and watch.
Buzz over political bigwigs returning to Congress fold
Even as the Congress rank and file keep their fingers crossed over the leadership crisis, a new buzz has gripped the party — speculations about the possible return of a few political heavyweights to the Congress fold. Party insiders have been trying to verify reports that some leaders who had earlier left the party are now in touch with the top leadership, including Madam Sonia Gandhi. Local leaders remain tight-lipped, but as the saying goes — there’s no smoke without fire. Wait and watch.
Speculation over Churchill’s future: Retirement or another poll bid?
When Varca strongman Bab Churchill contested from Benaulim in the 2022 Assembly election, he had appealed to the voters, saying it would be his final political battle in a career spanning three and a half decades. Churchillbab, however, did not receive the people’s mandate, losing to the giant killer Venzybab Viegas. The big question now is — did Churchillbab truly retire after that defeat, or is he preparing for yet another comeback in the 2027 Assembly elections after coming out of retirement? Interesting, isn’t it?
Election strategy in question as resignations shake AAP
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership seems to be fire fighting yet another internal crisis following the resignations of Paul Lobo and Rajesh Kalangutkar soon after Arvindbhai Kejriwal’s visit to Goa. In an attempt to control the damage, AAP leaders rushed to Betalbatim to induct former panchayat member Santu into the party fold, followed by Rajesh Gaonkar after Kalangutkar’s exit. However, the latest resignation of Salman Khan has brought the party to sharp focus. The bigger question now staring at the leadership is this — how will AAP convince Goemkars that its decision to go solo in the upcoming polls is not intended to divide the non-BJP vote, but to decisively defeat the BJP at the hustings? Wait and watch.
Cong’s ‘Vote Chori’ campaign ends in Margao, not Fatorda
Congress’ ‘Vote Chori’ campaign, held earlier this week, was scheduled to pass through a few constituencies in Saxttidom before culminating in Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai’s stronghold of Fatorda. However, as it turned out, the campaign concluded at Margao — raising a few eyebrows about why it didn’t end in Fatorda as planned. A party leader attempted to justify the decision, citing a meeting of block presidents at the Congress office in Panaji later that afternoon. But one can’t help wondering if there’s more to the story than meets the eye. Only time will tell.
