GUILHERME ALMEIDA
It was a week when Congress MP Manikrao Thakare is reported to have called on South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes. If sources are to be believed, the meeting continued for a couple of hours before the duo headed to a restaurant for lunch. What transpired during the meeting remains unclear, but it assumes significance against the backdrop of the turmoil that has gripped the party following the appointment of Girish Chodankar as the new Goa Congress chief. Wait and watch.
After Cong interaction, Viriato’s meet with Vijai raises eyebrows
It was also a week when Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai is believed to have met South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes. Coincidentally, the meeting took place shortly after Viriato’s interaction with Congress Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare. Sources said the duo is believed to have discussed the prevailing political situation, particularly in the wake of the war of words between the Goa Forward chief and Congress leaders. Any questions?
GFP leader points to ‘invisible forces’ stalling Congress tie-up
At Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai’s birthday celebrations, party leader Prashant Naik made an interesting observation on the forces allegedly trying to block the regional party’s merger with the Congress. In his inimitable style, Prashant pointed out how Congress leaders, led by Girish Chodankar and party MLAs Altone D’Costa and Carlos Alvares Ferreira, had come to wish Vijai on his birthday. He then wondered aloud: if the party president and the two MLAs have no issues with Vijai, who exactly are the forces preventing a closer alliance between Goa Forward and the Congress? Indeed, food for thought.
Flower bouquet or message? Girish’s birthday gesture raises questions
Did Congress president Girishbab Chodankar come with any message when he descended on Goemkar Ghor to extend birthday greetings to alliance partner Vijaibab Sardesai? Well, Girish arrived with a flower bouquet, accompanied by Youth Congress chief Archit Naik and others. He later told the media that he had come to wish the Goa Forward chief good health and happiness. However, sources in the know have been trying to figure out whether Girishbab reportedly advised Vijaibab against making any provocative statements during the birthday celebrations that could prove difficult to repair later. Any questions?
Vijai’s birthday barbs trigger displeasure in Congress ranks
The Congress leadership appears not to have taken kindly to Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai’s remarks directed at the party during his birthday celebrations. In fact, Vijai’s barbs reportedly dominated discussions at a Congress meeting held the following day, where party leaders expressed strong displeasure over the developments that unfolded at the event. The tone and tenor of the message emerging from the Congress camp suggest that the principal Opposition party is not prepared to take criticism from its regional ally lying down. Any questions?
