CM Pramod Sawant, Vishwajit Rane and Digambar Kamat at South Goa district hospital.
When a serving Chief Minister, a former Chief Minister and a minister perceived to be the Chief Minister-in-waiting come together for a programme, all eyes are bound to be on them. And that was precisely the case when Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane descended on the South Goa District Hospital earlier this week to inaugurate the MRI and Cath Lab facilities. The trio struck a note of unity, with Rane even expressing confidence that the BJP, under the leadership of CM Pramod Sawant, would return to power in 2027. With Rane projecting the party under Sawant’s leadership for another term and Digambar Kamat having recently ruled out a return to the top post, does this signal that the path is being paved for Sawant to once again occupy the hot seat if the BJP retains power? Only time will tell.
Yuri-Altone pull the crowds, but Rahul’s absence leaves a void
Leader of the Opposition Yuribab Alemao and Congress MLA Altonbab D’Costa must have been delighted by the massive turnout of party workers at the Goy Rakhonn Yatra meeting in Cuncolim on Sunday. The duo had mobilised huge crowds since Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to join the yatra. Instead, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy was drafted by the party leadership to address the yatra. Supporters of the Yuri-Altone duo privately say that Rahul Gandhi’s presence in Cuncolim would have been the perfect icing on the cake. Take note, Rahul Gandhi was initially scheduled to attend the concluding programme of Goy Rakhonn Yatra in Cuncolim and not in Margao on October 18. Any questions?
Wilfred admits BJP mistake, but trains his guns on Vijai
It was a week in which former Congress turncoat Wilfred alias Babashan D’Souza admitted that his decision to defect to the BJP in 2019 was a big mistake, while blaming other Congress MLAs for virtually pressuring him into taking the plunge. What has raised eyebrows in Saxtti’s political circles, however, is Babashan’s accusation that Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai had “ditched” the Congress to help form the BJP government in 2017. He did not stop there. Babashan also launched a tirade against Vijaibab, alleging that the latter had refused to return to the Congress fold to help the party form a government after the demise of then Chief Minister Manoharbai Parrikar. Interesting isn’t it. Watch this space!
When a birthday party turns into an Opposition get-together
Social activist Anthonybab D’Silva celebrated a quiet birthday over the weekend, but the gathering was anything but low-key when it came to political significance. Fellow activists committed to saving Goa turned up to wish him, while politicians from the Opposition camp also made time to convey their greetings. GPCC chief Girishbab Chodankar and Leader of the Opposition Yuribab Alemao represented the Congress, while the Goa Forward was led by party chief Vijaibab Sardesai. Aam Aadmi Party leaders, led by MLA Cruzbab Silva, were also conspicuous by their presence. And all’s well that ends well! Retired Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice Ferdinobab Rebello, raised a toast in honour of the activist. But here’s the interesting bit: Anthonybab’s birthday bash may have been about more than just cake and camaraderie. The gathering was part of a larger objective to bring the Opposition together ahead of the upcoming battle of ballots. Wait and watch!
Reginaldo keeps Congress guessing over 2027 plans
Will Curtorim’s Independent MLA Reginaldbab Lourenco contest the 2027 Assembly election on a Congress ticket? That was the straightforward question posed to the four-time MLA at a media briefing on Saturday, even as the Congress’ Goy Rakhonn Yatra rolled into his political fiefdom around the same time. But Reginaldbab was in no mood to give a straight answer. Instead, he chose to beat about the bush, neither confirming nor ruling out the possibility of returning to the Congress fold. His response? There were still four months to go for the Assembly elections, and politics, he reminded everyone, is never static, but dynamic. A diplomatic answer, perhaps, but one that leaves the big question hanging – Will Reginaldbab eventually wear the Congress colours, or does he have other plans up his sleeve? Any questions?
