What’s Rahul Gandhi’s brief in Goa when he descends on the state during the weekend? Is the visit just to galvanize the party rank and file ahead of the elections? Or, is there any announcement in store for Congressmen in particular and like-minded parties in general ahead of the 2022 polls? Against the backdrop of the recent meeting state Congress leaders and observers had with him in Delhi earlier this week, Congressmen are anxiously waiting to know whether Rahul is coming with any message from party president Sonia Gandhi on the issue of alliance. Wait and watch.
Didi following I-PAC’s plan of action in Goa
TMC leader Mamata Didi seemed going by I-PAC’s script. It’s now two days since Didi had landed in Goa to take stock of the political situation, but she is more seen in North Goa than in South. Sources say this is part of I-PAC’s plan of action as the TMC goes about preparing the ground for the coming polls. Sources say Mamata Didi, who is being accused by the saffron brigade for the politics of minority appeasement in Bengal, would have by now faced a similar charge had she descended on minority Saxttidom during her visit. Interesting, isn’t it?
Like-minded parties wary of the Congress
When Varca strongman Churchillbab with daughter Valankabai called on Mamata Didi, political observers were trying to figure out what’s the purpose behind the visit when the Congress was willing to do business with like-minded parties. Like-minded parties, sources say are still wary of the Congress. For, they are still having no idea how many seats the Congress is willing to concede. In Churchillbab’s case, it isn’t clear whether the Congress would be willing to leave Navelim for Valankabai. With a host of parties entering the arena, local players seemed keeping all options open. Any questions?
Congress bids to tame anti-alliance leaders
Congress observers, including Dinesh Gundu Rao seemed concerned with local leaders giving vent to their views and opinions on alliance in public forums. Sources said the Goa desk in-charge reportedly called up South Goa MP Franciscbab Sardinha just to find out whether he had spoken anything on the alliance issue. This comes a day after the MP spoke his mind on the issue in the Port Town. Sources say Dinesh Gundu Rao’s message to Sardinhbab on Friday came a little late, with the MP once again firmly opposing any truck with other parties. Any questions?
Ticket for mobilizing crowd at Rahul’s rally?
Will mobilization of crowd for Rahul Gandhi’s visit turn out to be a yardstick for nomination of party candidates for the ensuing polls? No, not at all, says party leaders. On the ground, however, ticket aspirants seemed on the job to mobilize workers for the rally. Reports emanating from Saxttidom indicate that Cuncolim, Loutolim, besides Margao may top the party blocks in mobilizing maximum number of workers. Velim too, which has as many as four ticket aspirants, may see a good turnout of crowd for the meeting. Wait and watch.
