The appointment of Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi Marlena as the new AAP Goa desk in-charge has become a talking point in opposition circles. At a time when there is growing public sentiment for a united Opposition to take on the ruling BJP in the upcoming Goa polls, Atishi’s appointment has prompted mixed reactions. While some see it as a routine organisational move, others — including leaders within Opposition parties — are now keeping their fingers crossed. Even within the AAP ranks, murmurs have surfaced in private about whether Atishi’s leadership will help or hinder efforts toward Opposition unity in Goa. Will the parties come together, or will this move widen the gap? Wait and watch.
Cong eyes grassroots gains with mid-August inductions
The Congress appears to be gearing up for a fresh round of inductions to bolster its ranks ahead of the Zilla Panchayat polls scheduled for later this year. With Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao currently preoccupied with the ongoing session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, sources say the planned inductions are likely to take place post-session, around mid-August. If insider buzz is to be believed, the party has already shortlisted around five potential entrants — a strategic move aimed at strengthening its grassroots presence in the run-up to the crucial local elections. Watch this space.
Kamat’s praise for Cabinet move seen as strategic civic poll play
Guess who was the first to wholeheartedly welcome Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s Cabinet decision to grant temporary status to municipal workers? It was none other than Congress-turned-BJP MLA Diggu, as he wasted no time in lauding the Cabinet move. Diggu is one MLA who had consistently advocated for the regularisation of municipal workers over the years. However, political observers suggest there might be more to his enthusiasm. The Cabinet decision is set to benefit around 180 workers from the Margao Municipal Council—many of whom hail from the Cine Lata colony, besides Khareband and Pedda, Diggu’s voter base, ahead of the upcoming civic polls. Any takers?
Cuncolim looks to new PCB chief for relief from pollution woes
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s announcement appointing IAS officer Levinson Martins as the new Chairman of the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB) has resonated in Cuncolim — though for a different reason. Cuncolkars, long plagued by persistent pollution, have welcomed Levinson’s appointment with cautious optimism. The new Chairman is no stranger to Cuncolim, and locals are hopeful that under his leadership, long-standing environmental concerns — especially at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate — will finally be addressed. Top on the agenda for Martins will be the removal of hazardous zinc waste, which has been lying unattended at the Cuncolim IDC for the past 18 years. All eyes are indeed on the GSPCB’s new Chairman.
After bus success, leaders push for Colva Police Station upgrade
Buoyed by the success of securing a KTC bus service on the Cavelossim–Margao route, sarpanchas from the coastal villages of Benaulim constituency are now setting their sights on a long-pending demand — a new and spacious premises for the Colva police station. According to sources, the sarpanch has planned to lead a delegation to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the Home portfolio, to press for the construction of a much-needed new police station building in Colva. Wait and watch.
