SATURDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 2026

Churchill's decision to quit TMC ahead of 2024 polls takes observers by surprise

Varca strongman Bab Churchill was back in the news during the weekend. For, the former PWD Minister has finally parted ways with the Trinamool Congress after embracing the Mamata Didi-led party in the run up to the 2022 Assembly polls. Both Churchill and daughter Valanka had unsuccessfully contested the 2022 Assembly polls on the TMC banner from Benaulim and Navelim respectively. Political observers say Churchillbab’s decision was on expected lines since he had distanced himself from the party since his defeat in last year’s polls. What, however, has taken observers by surprise was the timing of Churchill’s decision, as it has come ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Wait and watch.


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Will Churchill now be part of NCP

faction headed by Ajit Pawar?


Which political party would Varca strongman Bab Churchill park himself after quitting the Mamata-Didi led TMC? Well, Churchillbab made no bones of his meeting with NCP leader Praful Patel (Ajit Pawar) faction in Mumbai earlier this week. Churchillbab has told his aides that the NCP (Ajit Pawar) faction wants him to lead the party in Goa.   He, however, seemed assessing the political situation, more so with the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP aligned with the BJP and the ruling dispensation in Maharashtra. In the past, Churchillbab was part of the NCP headed by supremo Sharad Pawar, and represented Benaulim on the NCP banner. Will he be now part of the NCP headed by Sharad Pawar’s nephew, Ajit Pawar. Wait and watch.


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Luizinhbab has no plans, at least for

the moment, to join any political party 


Even as Churchillbab Alemao’s resignation from the TMC did the rounds during the weekend, it’s now clear that ex-Rajya Sabha MP from Bengal, Luizinhbab Faleiro had quit the Mamata Didi-led party in April last. Unlike Kumpar Churchill, however, Luizinhbab seemed in no hurry to play any active political role. For, the moment, he seemed occupied with penning a host of books, including the book on the battle for Konkani and Statehood. Luizinhbab, who has returned home last week, after a fortnight long tour of Europe, say he has no plans, at least for the moment, to join any political party. Wait and watch.


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Meeting between Goa Cong faction

and Vijai throws up questions 


Political observers are trying to figure out whether a faction of the Congress, opposed to the incumbent Goa Congress leadership, had a meeting with Goa Forward Chief Vijaibab Sardesai somewhere in North Goa. What has transpired during the meeting between the Goa forward Chief and the Congress faction remains unknown. But, with the 2024 Lok Sabha election less than 10 months away, the purported meeting has generated interest and comes against the backdrop of the ongoing tug-of-war in the state Congress to control the party affairs. Any questions?


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Felicitation of former Margao civic chiefs sees 3

former chairpersons conspicuous by absence


Felicitation of former Margao Municipal chairpersons on Independence Day saw three former civic chiefs, Ganashyambab Shirodkar, Saviobab Coutinho and Johnsonbab Fernandes conspicuous by their absence. The trio were spotted at the flag hoisting ceremony at the Municipal building, but slowly left the venue minutes before the felicitation ceremony could take place, leaving many an observer baffled. It’s a sheer coincidence that these three former chairpersons are known political foes of Cong-turned-BJP MLA Diggu, who was invited to do the honours. Any questions?


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Four prospective BJP candidates for South Goa Lok Sabha polls

GUILHERME ALMEIDA
Published Aug 19, 2023, 12:48 AM IST
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Any guess on the BJP leaders whose names figure in the list of prospective candidates for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat for the 2024 polls. Well, if sources are to be believed at least four names of party leaders seemed doing the rounds in party circles for the job. Ex-South Goa MP Narendrabai Sawaikar’s name figures in the list, but the names of three other leaders also seemed doing the rounds, including two Congress-turned-BJP leaders, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, ex-DyCM…

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