The photo speaks for itself. Speaker Ganeshbab Gaonkar of the BJP, Congress MLAs Leader of the Opposition Yuribab Alemao and Altonebab D’Costa, along with Goa Forward leaders Vijaibab Sardesai and Durgadas Kamat, came together to wish Congress's Aldona MLA Carlosbab Alvares on his birthday. Political observers were left wondering whether the photograph carried any political message. After all, it is an open secret that Goa Forward leaders and the Leader of the Opposition have not been seeing eye to eye ever since their relationship became strained. Or was Ganeshbab not only partaking in a birthday celebration, but also celebrating diversity? Any questions?
Alliance roadmap still elusive despite Thakare assurance
Have the Congress and Goa Forward leadership met even once since the Congress Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare publicly announced that leaders of the two parties would hold discussions to address the thorny issues in their alliance? Thakare had also said that a Congress panel would be constituted to engage with Goa Forward leaders on matters such as the alliance and merger. However, according to sources, no such meeting has taken place between leaders of the two parties till date. Interesting, isn’t it?
After pressing pause in June, what comes next for GFP?
Goa Forward supremo Vijaibab Sardesai remains in the political spotlight as the month of June draws to a close. The reason is simple. During his birthday celebrations, Vijaibab had announced that he was putting the party’s future plans on hold out of respect for the wishes of priests and citizens favouring a Congress-Goa Forward alliance. Political circles are now abuzz with questions over what happens from July 1. Will Goa Forward unveil plans to expand its footprint across the State, or will the regional party wait for the findings of the survey commissioned to assess the prevailing political mood? Wait and watch.
Patkar's return to streets signals he isn't done yet
He may have appeared down after his unceremonious removal as GPCC president, but former Congress chief Amitbab Patkar is certainly not out. After a brief lull, Amitbab staged a comeback by leading a protest at the Electricity Department office—a move that received considerable support from power consumers on social media. His initiative has become a talking point within Congress circles and beyond. It now remains to be seen how incumbent GPCC president Girishbab Chodankar handles the emerging situation. You know why.
AAP turns Gerson's elevation into a political talking point
It was a week when Aam Aadmi Party senior leader Gersonbab Gomes assumed office as the sarpanch of the Chinchinim Village Panchayat after being elected unopposed. The AAP leadership sought to capitalise on the development in a subtle manner. Without claiming that the party controls the Chinchinim panchayat, its leaders were quick to congratulate Gersonbab while simultaneously reminding everyone that the newly elected sarpanch is a senior AAP functionary. Interesting, isn't it?
