As the Congress duo of GPCC Chief Amitbab Patkar and Opposition leader Yuribab Alemao head to Delhi to attend the crucial Central Election Committee (CEC) meeting scheduled during the weekend, party workers back home have a question to ask – is the duo unanimous in their choice of candidate for the South Goa seat?
Well, supporters of the sitting MP Franciscobab Sardinha, ex-GPCC Chief Girishbab Chodankar and Capt Viriatbab Fernandes have been anxiously trying to figure out how the duo will go about convincing the High Command on the choice of candidate for South Goa, and whether they are unanimous in their choice of the party candidate. Wait till the weekend for an answer.
Girish goes all-out to press claim for Lok Sabha ticket
Ex-GPCC Chief Girishbab Chodankar must have used all weapons in his armoury to bounce back at the right time in the race for the Congress ticket for South Goa. No doubt Girishbab’s status as the Congress Working Committee (CWC) member must have come in handy for pushing his candidature. Sources, however, said the strong ticket contender was scouting for the much-needed push from Goa, from the social and religious groups, besides the alliance partners, that matter in the scheme of things. Indeed, Girishbab is back in the reckoning for the ticket. The race for the ticket, however, is wide open.
Burden of northeast role may weigh ex-GPCC chief down
As the race for the Congress South Goa ticket intensified this week, opponents of Girishbab Chodankar raised questions whether the Congress High command will nominate the ex-GPCC Chief for the South Goa seat when he is expected to win all the six Lok Sabha seats for the party in the northeast. Girishbab was recently appointed as the Congress in-charge of the states of Manipur, Tripura, Sikkhim and Nagaland with the hope the party wins LS seats in the states. Opponents question whether Girishbab will have time to hold the fort in South Goa as well as ensure that the Congress flag flies high in the northeast. Indeed, a testing time for the Congress leadership.
If not Sardinha then who? Interest over Vijai's choice of candidate
Goa Forward Chief Vijaibab Sardesai had come out openly against sitting South Goa MP Franciscobab Sardinha for the Congress ticket. Questions, however, are raised in political circles within the Congress and outside, who amongst the contenders is Vijaibab's preferred choice for the South Goa seat – ex-GPCC Chief Girishbab Chodankar or Captain Viriatbab Fernandes. It isn’t clear whether the Goa Forward Chief has conveyed his choice of South Goa candidate to the Congress High Command. Questions, however, remain unanswered whether he has thrown his lot behind foe-turned-friend Girishbab or Capt Viriatbab or opted for the neutral mode. Wait and watch.
'Not interested': Churchill keeps hat on, says not contesting LS poll
It was a week when news went viral that Varca strongman Churchillbab Alemao is all set to throw his hat in the Lok Sabha election ring if the Congress ticket goes to either sitting MP Franciscobab Sardinha or Girishbab Chodankar. Churchilbab, however, denied having unveiled any such plans to contest the coming polls. He also ruled out the possibility of contesting the upcoming election. But will Churchillbab sit quiet and watch the election from home? Don't rule out anything.
