Is the game over for GPCC Chief Girishbab Chodankar after the fracas outside the city hotel, more so with most of the senior leaders calling for a leadership change? No, not at all, with Congress sources saying the game has just begun, with the Girishhbab camp banking on a crucial factor -- the Rahul Gandhi factor, which is expected to decide the fate of the GPCC Chief. Known to be a Rahul loyalist, senior Congress leaders in private say the Rahul factor had kept Girishbab in the saddle and the same factor will decide his fate. Wait and watch as Gundu Rao is expected to submit his report to the High Command.
MGP Chief Sudinbab Dhavlikar and environmentalist Capt Viriatbab Fernandes were cynosure of all eyes when they descended on the historic Lohia Maida for Goa Revolution Day function. What further raised many an eyebrow was the call later given by the MGP leader to environmentalists to come together to save Goa from destruction. Whether the duo will come together in the future remains unknown. What, however, is clear is that they have a common enemy in Panchayat Minister Mauvinbab Godinho. Wait and watch as Capt Viriatbab is believed to have set his eyes on Dabolim, where the MGP has a sizeable presence.
Congress MLA Reginaldbab Lourenco suddenly turned out to be the much-sought after person in the anti-Girisih camp moments before party MLAs were scheduled to call on Goa desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao. Sources said the pro-leadership change leaders were apparently trying to contact the three-time MLA, ostensibly for a meeting before they called on the desk in-charge. Reginaldbab, however, was not in the town as he had gone to extend birthday greetings to BJP leader and Minister Michaelbab Lobo. Sources say Reginaldbab did not take the calls as he is not only against Girishbab, but also those aspiring to don the GPCC mantle. Any takers?
It was a week when the Lion was on a mission to make peace with traditional opponents, apparently with an eye on the Assembly polls. MGP leader Sudinbab Dhavlikar roared and thundered at the Lohia Maidan against the national parties, BJP and Congress. In Saxttidom to pay homage to Dr Lohia, Sudinbab held out an olive branch to the minorities. He took pride in saying even the erstwhile United Goans and its leader Dr Jack de Sequeira did not do anything to destroy Goa. And, he sounded hopeful of winning the confidence of the minorities.
Speculations were rife in Saxttidom during the weekend that the Congress is working on a proposal to appoint two working presidents, hailing from minority community, in the event the party goes for status quo on GPCC leadership. The move was apparently mooted to take care of the minorities and ensure they do not get alienated if the existing party set-up led by Girishbab and Digambarbab remains undisturbed. No Party leader was around to either confirm or deny these rumours doing the rounds in Saxtti countryside. Wait and watch.
