Guess why leaders of non-BJP parties aretaking flights to the UK ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls in Goa? Well,they have suddenly realised the influence of Goan Londonkars in shaping publicopinion during election season. If the Goa Forward Party and now a Congressdelegation have made a beeline for the UK, the objective appears clear — tobuild goodwill among the diaspora. It was in the 2022 Assembly election thatestablished parties realised the impact of the debutant Revolutionary GoansParty (RGP), which managed to create a buzz despite having little visiblecampaign machinery on the ground in Goa. The diaspora played its part then, andpolitical parties seem determined not to ignore that factor this time. Anyquestions?
Vijaireturns with political questions in his baggage
Goa Forward Party chief Vijaibab Sardesai isexpected to return to Goa after spending nearly a fortnight in the UK. Duringhis visit, he received an international honour, interacted extensively with theGoan diaspora, and also met leaders and supporters of the Revolutionary GoansParty. Speculation has intensified following his interactions with RGPfunctionaries and supporters. Not only Goa Forward Party workers but alsoleaders from opposition parties are said to be keenly watching Sardesai's nextmoves after his return. Whether the UK visit was merely a diaspora outreachprogramme or part of a larger political exercise remains to be seen. Wait andwatch.
Congduo lands in UK to seek‘blessings’ for polls
It may be a coincidence, but just as GoaForward chief Vijaibab Sardesai was packing his bags to return from the UK, theCongress duo of Leader of the Opposition Yuribab Alemao and MLA AltonebabD'Costa landed there. Officially, the two are expected to participate in GoaDay celebrations. More importantly, however, they are scheduled to interactwith the Goan diaspora through a series of engagements. With election seasonfast approaching, it appears political parties have decided to seek theblessings of overseas Goans before launching their campaigns back home. Youknow why.
Elvis'claim leaves Congress walking a political tightrope
The Congress leadership appears to be treadingcautiously when it comes to Cuncolim, the constituency represented by Leader ofthe Opposition Yuribab Alemao. Consider this. Former top bureaucrat Elvis Gomeshas repeatedly declared that he will contest the 2027 Assembly election as the"people's candidate". At the same time, he has consistentlymaintained that he remains with the Congress. On the other hand, Yuribab is naturallyexpecting the party ticket from Cuncolim and is also likely to spearhead theCongress campaign across Goa. Despite these competing claims, the partyleadership has maintained complete silence on Elvisbab's assertions. Perhapsthe leadership is simply buying time before taking a final call.
Electiondate may depend as much on tourism as politics
After weeks of speculation that the GoaAssembly election could be brought forward to December, the latest buzz inpolitical circles suggests the polls may, after all, be held as originallyscheduled in February 2027. What prompted this apparent shift in narrativeremains unclear. However, many now point to the Christmas and New Year festiveseason as the key reason for sticking to the February timetable. Is the concernthat the Model Code of Conduct would coincide with Goa's peak tourism season,potentially disrupting the State's busiest period? Or is there more to thereports than meets the eye? For now, the speculation continues, with politicalobservers still waiting for clarity on the exact date of the 2027 Goa Assemblyelection.
