The opposition has come under the cynosure of all eyes ahead of the upcoming Winter Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly—and for good reason. MLAs from four opposition parties, the Congress, Goa Forward Party, Aam Aadmi Party and the Revolutionary Goans Party, were recently locked in a bitter battle for supremacy during the Zilla Panchayat polls. How the seven opposition MLAs will gel during the ensuing session remains to be seen, particularly with the State heading into an electoral battle around this time in 2027. For now, it is a wait-and-watch game.
Venzy questions Congress ‘trust factor’ amid Maha tie-up buzz
It was a week when Aam Aadmi Party MLA Venzybab Viegas raised questions about the “trust factor” after reports of a Congress-BJP tie-up for local body polls in Maharashtra made headlines. Seizing the opportunity—apparently to score brownie points against the Congress—the Benaulim MLA claimed the Congress could not be trusted. He cited as examples his own loyalty and that of his Velim counterpart Cruzbab Silva, both of whom have remained with the AAP while the Congress witnessed defections during the current term. But are there any takers for Venzybab’s argument, especially when voters in Saxttidom reposed their faith in the Congress during the recently held Zilla Panchayat polls? Only time will tell.
Damu seeks to clear air after remarks on women
BJP State president Damubab Naik adopted a cautious tone while clarifying that he had no intention whatsoever of offending women when he remarked that women today may not know how to cook traditional dishes. His over-caution also revived a frequently asked question: Will Damubab contest the 2027 elections? Damubab made the clarification as he expressed fear that women might not vote for him after misinterpreting his statement if he were to contest any election by default. Scribes covering the programme were left wondering what exactly was on the BJP State president’s mind. Any guesses?
MMC polls: No ward increase puts BJP aspirants in a bind
The government’s decision not to increase municipal wards ahead of the upcoming civic polls has thrown up a question or two—how will the saffron brigade manage the aspirations of its supporters planning to throw their hats into the ring for the Margao Municipal Council elections? Reports had been doing the rounds that the MMC wards could be increased to 27 in the 2026 elections. This had heightened interest within the BJP camp, especially with speculation that areas south of the city—Colmorod, Caldondem, Sirvodem and Khareband—could have been allotted four seats instead of the existing three.
Alemao’s role in scrapped GHB project triggers new questions
What does former Cuncolim MLA Joaquimbab Alemao have to say about the Goa Housing Board project in Cuncolim, which he had scrapped during his tenure as Urban Development Minister between 2007 and 2012? Notably, Joaquimbab, along with Congress leader Altinhobab Gomes, was even detained by Cuncolim police for opposing the project. Upon returning to power, Joaquimbab had announced plans to set up a football academy on the site after transferring the land to the GSUDA. How the land continues to remain in the possession of the Goa Housing Board remains a mystery. Many questions, indeed, remain unanswered.
