The non-BJP parties — be it the Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, Goa Forward Party or Revolutionary Goans Party — have a clear task cut out: how to win the confidence of the minorities and channelise their votes in the coming polls. For, apart from a host of issues plaguing the State, the controversial Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment (FCRA) Bill and the anti-conversion Bill, which have implications for minorities, offer an avenue for the non-BJP parties to woo them. The question, however, remains unanswered: which of these parties is best placed to win the confidence of the minorities, and how do they intend to take these issues to the people? Wait and watch.
Girish prefers to keep mum over Vijai’s repeated jibes
Congress State president Girishbab Chodankar does not shy away from calling a spade a spade. He, however, appears to be in no aggressive mood when it comes to dealing with alliance partner Goa Forward Party. GFP chief Vijaibab Sardesai’s repeated “hat-trick defection” jibe at the Congress party has evoked no reaction from the Congress leadership. When the media sought Girishbab’s reaction earlier this week, he preferred to offer no comments on Vijaibab’s barbs. Interesting, isn’t it?
Congress insider’s Fatorda pitch raises eyebrows
Who’s this Congress leader who reportedly suggested to the party leadership that one way to get alliance partner Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai back to the negotiating table could be by declaring a candidate in his home turf of Fatorda? While political observers are now on the job to verify the veracity of the report, the development appears to have an echo at the Goemkar Ghor, the headquarters of the regional party. If sources are to be believed, party leaders are believed to have not taken the development lightly. Wait and watch.
Congress response on Velim triggers questions
Having realised, albeit a little late, that Congress Quepem MLA Altonbab D’Costa’s presence in Velim is creating a war of words between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party, the Congress leadership appears to have gone into damage-control mode. The party now attributes Altonbab’s presence in Velim to its agenda of strengthening the organisation in the constituency, which is currently represented by AAP MLA Cruzbab Silva. Many, however, do not buy the Congress explanation. For, Altonbab himself has indicated on more than one occasion that he may shift to Velim if Quepem is reserved for the Scheduled Tribes in 2027. Any questions?
Teachers Town Hall fuels buzz over ex-GPCC chief’s future
Outgoing State Congress president Amitbab Patkar is back in the news again. After taking up the issue of teachers of the church-run Diocesan School of Education with Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai a week ago, Amitbab has now organised a Teachers Town Hall on Sunday. While the initiative is seen as a platform for the teaching fraternity to air their issues and concerns, Amitbab appears to have come under the lens of political observers, who are keenly watching his movements in recent days and trying to gauge his political future. Wait and watch.
