After the State witnessed turbulence over reports of the possible closure of Dabolim airport, suggestions began pouring in from all quarters on how to pressure the so-called “double engine” government into reconsidering any such move. One suggestion was blunt and direct – No Dabolim, no railway, no national highway passing through South Goa. Will Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho respond to the growing resentment among the people of South Goa and get the Centre issue a firm statement on Dabolim? Wait and watch.
From Panaji to Delhi, Cong rallies to defend Dabolim
The Congress party had virtually gone into overdrive over reports of the proposed closure of Dabolim airport. State party president Amit Patkar addressed the media on the issue in the State capital. In the national capital, South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes raised his voice against the move. Meanwhile, in the State’s commercial capital, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, along with MLA Altone D’Costa, warned of an agitation. South Goa district chief Savio D’Silva also called for an urgent media briefing on the issue. Interesting, isn’t it?
AAP’s 1:5 seat-sharing math for 2027 polls raises eyebrows
The seat-sharing formula proposed by Aam Aadmi Party Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas for the 2027 Assembly elections certainly makes for interesting reading. The AAP legislator has floated a 1:5 seat-sharing model among opposition parties. The formula suggests that each opposition party currently represented in the Assembly should be allotted five seats multiplied by the number of seats it presently holds. By that calculation, AAP with two MLAs would claim 10 seats, while Goa Forward and the Revolutionary Goans Party would get five seats each. The Congress, with three MLAs at present, would be allocated 15 seats. But here’s the question: would such a proposal be acceptable to the Congress, which had won 11 seats in the 2022 Assembly elections before eight MLAs defected to the BJP? Wait and watch.
Salcete abuzz over Warren Alemao’s Congress entry bid
In a development that quickly became the talk of the town, Varca-based Warren Alemao has knocked on the doors of the Congress, seeking entry into the party. His application has sparked interest for more than one reason. For one, Warren is the cousin of Leader of the Opposition and Congress Cuncolim MLA Yuribab Alemao. Warren has been laying the groundwork for an active political career, focusing his efforts on the Benaulim constituency. However, even before the Congress could take a call on his application, political circles in Saxtti were already abuzz with speculation. The big question doing the rounds: Will the Congress field both Yuri and Warren in the 2027 Assembly elections on the party banner? For now, that question remains unanswered.
Delimitation delay puts Vijai’s Margao civic poll plans on hold
It was a week when Goa Forward Party chief Vijaibab Sardesai declared that he is fully geared up for the upcoming Margao Municipal Council elections. However, Sardesai himself is well aware that his plans could go awry if there is any delay in the delimitation of wards and the announcement of seat reservations. Sources indicate that he has a list of candidates ready to enter the fray. Yet, without clarity on ward boundaries and reservation details, they are reluctant to take the plunge. This perhaps explains Sardesai’s urgency in moving the High Court. For the moment, Vijaibab is presently preoccupied with the upcoming Fatorda carnival festivities on the SGPDA grounds, beginning from Saturday.
