When Michael Lobo quit the BJP to embrace the Congress to a grand welcome, Congress Goa desk in-charge Dinesh Gundu Rao received bouquets from State party leaders. A couple of Pradesh Election Committee (PEC) members even complimented Team Dinesh for the move to get in Michael. With party leader Agnel Fernandes and others leaving the Congress now in protest over Michael’s entry, a Salcete-based Congress leader sought to know who amongst the leaders will now share the blame for the exit of party grassroot workers and leaders.
Churchill has a task at hand
Trinamool Congress MLA Churchill Alemao may find himself in a tight spot in the coming polls. As the TMC lone MLA and leader, the party may expect Churchill to move around the constituencies in support of party candidates in the fray. Dr Jorson Fernandes is the TMC candidate for the Cuncolim seat, and is expected to cross swords with Churchill’s nephew Yuri Alemao. Questions are raised whether Churchill will descend in Cuncolim to drum up support for Yuri or will show his loyalty to the party or will wriggle out of the situation by staying away from the constituency. TMC Goa in-charge, Mahua Moitra may have an answer.
Filipe Neri still keeping his options open
Exactly a month to go for the Assembly polls, Water Resources Department Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues is still keeping his cards close to his chest. Filipe is all gearing up to seek re-election from Velim, but is apparently waiting for the Congress to unveil its candidate. Speculations are rife that Filipe Neri may throw his hat in the ring as an independent candidate. In an election season, where a host of parties have set up shop in the State, observers do not rule out Filipe Neri contesting the polls on a party banner depending on the choice of the Congress candidate.
Cong treading cautious path in Velim
The Velim seat has indeed given Congress leaders sleepless nights in finalising the candidate. With as many as four contenders vying for the ticket, party leaders seemed in no haste to declare the candidate for Velim. As a consensus choice has eluded the party, leaders in private say the party treading a cautious path. Not just the winnability of the candidates, but the damage a candidate can cause for the party in the event of denial of ticket is also being assessed. Leaders say the party cannot afford to lose Velim in the scheme of things.
Aleixo’s ticket chances being scuttled?
When NCP Nuvem block Committee chief Franky D’Mello made a host of complaints against Congress heavyweight Aleixo Sequeira, many an eyebrow were raised in Nuvem circles, more so when Franky had openly batted for Lyndon Monteiro for the NCP ticket. Sequeira now strongly suspects that concerted efforts are underway to block his Congress ticket for Nuvem. Sequeira went to the extent of saying that complaints against him are made on behalf of the ticket aspirant. Who’s this unknown ticket aspirant powerful enough to take on the heavyweight in the battle for the Nuvem Congress ticket? Wait and watch.
