What prompted Goa Congress president Girishbab Chodankar to accuse the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of entering Congress strongholds in Cuncolim and Quepem with cash to woo away party voters? Sources said Girishbab reportedly levelled the allegations after local Congress workers brought to his notice the presence of AAP leaders in Ambaulim village, where the electorate had voted in favour of Congress in the recently held elections. Sources say Girishbab levelled the allegations after CCTV footage shows the movement of AAP leaders and workers in the area. Wait and watch.
Quepem reservation puts Altone’s
Salcete options under spotlight
Where will Congress MLA Altonebab D’Costa contest if the Quepem Assembly constituency is reserved for Scheduled Tribes ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections – will it be Velim or Navelim or somewhere else? The question assumes significance against the backdrop of reports that Congress high command functionaries had assured Altonebab that his political interests would be protected by accommodating him in another constituency in Salcete in the event Quepem is reserved for the ST community. This assurance, sources say was reportedly given by Congress leadership after he decided not to defect to the BJP along with eight Congress MLAs. Wait and watch.
Vijai’s cockroach barb
triggers Congress backlash
Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai may have suddenly realised that alliance partner Congress is not prepared to take matters lying down if the regional party attempts to belittle the principal Opposition party. This became evident after Vijaibab reportedly remarked that people were ready to vote even for cockroaches, but not for the Congress. Congress leaders and others took to social media to register their protest over Vijaibab’s comments, indicating that while the Congress is willing to walk the talk. That’s not all. The weekend saw Congress social media groups taking the credit for many a developmental project in Fatorda constituency. Any questions?
Cong alliance panel yet to
reach out to Oppn parties
When will the Congress high command’s five-member panel, constituted to discuss alliance proposals, kick-start talks with like-minded and non-BJP parties in Goa? The panel, headed by Congress Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare, comprises party secretary Anjali Nimbalkar, GPCC president Girish Chodankar, Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao and working president MK Shaikh. However, leaders of non-BJP opposition parties say the Congress panel is yet to contact them for discussions. “Let the Congress panel walk the talk, and we will talk,” a member of an opposition party said. Any questions?
Cruz Silva sticks with AAP, sets
sights on Velim re-election
Aam Aadmi Party's Velim MLA Cruz Silva appears to be a man in action. With the Assembly elections approaching, the first-time legislator has been actively on the ground, inaugurating and launching projects initiated during his tenure. He is also said to have taken the party's defeat in the 2025 Zilla Panchayat elections in his stride. Contrary to speculation that he may be willing to join the Congress if assured of a ticket on the Hand symbol, sources maintain that Cruz is all set to seek re-election from Velim on the Aam Aadmi Party's broom symbol. Wait and watch.
