Has Chief Minister Pramodbab Sawant any idea of his Cabinet Ministers, who tipped off Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai on the impending Ordinance doing away with a secret ballot for the Municipal Chairperson’s election? Well, no sooner did the process to issue the Ordinance kick-started when Cabinet Ministers were told to sign on a note via circulation, a couple of Ministers reportedly alerted the Goa Forward chief over the things that lay in store on the Municipal polls. One of the Ministers is even reported to have informed that the Ordinance will become a reality with diktat coming from the top. Any questions?
Cong caught napping on Ordinance issue
Was the Congress leadership caught napping on the controversial Ordinance on scrapping secret ballots for elections for Municipal chairpersons? Well, the Goa Forward hogged the limelight, as he left no stone unturned to capitalise on controversial government decisions from day one, and no sooner he was tipped off by some Cabinet Ministers on the Ordinance. The Aam Aadmi Party too did not lag behind, as the party leadership immediately jumped in to slam the government. Even as questions did the rounds over the silence in the Congress camp, Opposition Leader Yuribab Alemao came out to condemn the Ordinance. Interesting, isn’t it?
Kamat’s defence on Ordinance surprises political observers
It was a week when political observers were completely taken aback after they found Diggu batting from the front in support of the Ordinance on Municipal chairperson’s election by show of hands. One who will normally duck questions from the media on contentious issues, Diggu, however, took upon himself the task to defend the Ordinance come what may. Even friend-turned-foe Vijaibab was completely taken by surprise over Diggu’s defence of the Ordinance. It’s just days since his return into the BJP fold, leaving observers to wonder whether Diggu is now a changed politician, asserting his way like many a BJP leader. Wait and watch.
Digambar’s son covers up where father cannot attend
Call it a sheer coincidence or by design, Diggu’s son Yogiraj is making his presence felt everywhere in Margao post-defection by the eight Congress MLAs. Political observers in particular and Madgavkars in general say that Diggu has been attending BJP programmes with his son in tow since he embraced the saffron brigade last month. When Diggu cannot make it for any programme, Yogiraj makes his presence felt, as evident during Sports Minister Govindbab Gaude’s visit to the city when he accompanied BJP councillors at a city hotel.
Vijai and the alliance tangle in the MMC
Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai may suddenly realise that alliance partner Diggu has paid him in the same coin in Margao Municipal politics. The duo had stitched the Margao Civic Alliance (MCA) in 2015 and soon succeeded in the mission to keep the BJP at bay. The alliance, however, collapsed after Vijaibab and his Goa Forward backed the BJP to form the government in 2017. The duo again revived the MCA on the eve of the 2021 Municipal polls, again to keep the BJP from the Margao civic body. A year later, Diggu is now in the BJP leaving the Goa Forward stranded midway, struggling to cobble up the numbers to form the Council. Any takers?
