Whether Goa will observe a bandh over Mhadei isn’t clear yet. One thing, however, now appears certain that Chief Minister Pramodbab Sawant may have to contend with Mhadei again right in his fiefdom, Sanquelim. If sources are to be believed, the Goa Forward Executive Committee chaired by party supremo Vijaibab Sardesai earlier this week has decided to descend in Sanquelim again, this time to launch a massive awareness programme on Mhadei, right from the block to the booth level. Wait and watch whether the Goa Forward will go solo in Sanquelim this time round, or with other like-minded groups.
Will authorities dare say ‘no’ to old parade route?
In the light of the Margao Municipal Council’s resolution to shift the carnival parade back to the old route, the authorities may have to answer a simple question -- will they dare say no to Team Diggu’s decision to revert back the parade route back to the city. This question assumes significance and comes against the backdrop of the 2020 High Court decision, wherein the Court pointed out that authorities need to take decisions on parade routes independently irrespective of Council decisions. Any takers?
Will Goa Forward take the HC route over parade route?
Will Goa Forward chief Vijaybab Sardesai take the BJP-led Margao Municipal Council’s decision, shifting the carnival and shigmo parade route from Fatorda to Margao this year. Considered the architect behind shifting the carnival and shigmo parade route to the Fatorda around half a decade ago, questions are being asked whether the Fatorda MLA will accept the decision without offering a fight. Last time round, one of Vijaibab’s supporters had knocked the doors of the High Court to scuttle the plan to shift the route back to Margao. Wait and watch.
With no ministers in Saxtti, Cabral hoists the Tricolour
With the promised Ministerial berths for the Saxtti Congress defectors still not forthcoming, PWD Minister Nileshbab Cabral once again did the honours of hoisting the National Tricolour at the South Goa district headquarters, this time on Republic Day. Saxtti still has no representation in the BJP-led government headed by Pramodbab Sawant dispensation. Hence, the privilege of hoisting the Tricolour in Margao is being enjoyed by Ministers hailing from outside Saxttidom. Wait and watch whether a MLA from Saxtti will do the honours on coming Independence Day.
Velim MLA sore over protocol issue at dist level panel meet
Velim MLA Cruz Silva appears sore over the way he has been sidelined at the meeting of the district level Committee for Velim under the Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojaya at the district Collector’s office. What, however, has infuriated the Aam Aadmi Party MLA the most was the presence of BJP leader Savio Rodrigues at the meeting. Cruz seemed to have not forgotten that the BJP leader had unsuccessfully contested against him in the 2022 Assembly elections. Wait and watch as the AAP MLA has urged the district Collector to ensure the protocol is not thrown to the winds to favour the ruling dispensation. Wait and watch.
