When Congress candidates swore before the Almighty last week that they would not defect after election, the episode only brought back bitter past memories. Sources recalled that a similar exercise was undertaken in the run up to the 1999 Assembly election, when then Congress observer S S Alhuwalia had made the candidates take an oath they would not defect. The Congress returned to power in 1999, but the Congress government headed by Chief Minister Luizinho Faleiro collapsed within three months after a group of MLAs defected to join hands with the BJP. Indeed time for introspection.
‘Block will decide’ slogan haunts leaders
Where’s Congress election observer P Chidambaram? This question was being asked in Congress circles in Benaulim and outside as his famous slogan “the block will decide the candidates” has come to haunt the senior Congress leader. With the Congress nominating a candidate for the Benaulim seat, barely 48 hours of his induction into the party, Benaulim Congress ticket aspirants have directed their ire at Chidambaram. A sulking Mickky Pacheco has even remarked that Chidambaram’s elocution skills were good, although not greater than Shashi Tharoor. Any questions?
Suspense into Luizinho & Fatorda continues
Trinamool Congress party’s second list of candidates was out during the weekend, but there’s no change in the candidate for the Fatorda seat yet. For a moment, Fatordekars were left to wonder whether TMC’s decision to field Rajya Sabha MP Luizinho Faleiro is final, or, whether they will have to wait for the TMC’s third list to see any change in candidate for the Fatorda seat. For, sources say Luizinho’s family has not stopped telling all and sundry that the MP is not in the fray in the ensuing polls.
Will Sardinha campaign or attend Parl session?
The budget session of Parliament sessions starts next week, throwing up a question in the Congress camp whether South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha will attend the session or will join the party election campaign. Sardinha is one of the senior Congress leaders, who did not have his way in party matters, whether on the question of alliances or ticket for son Shalom. It isn’t clear whether the MP would join the party campaign or will accord priority for the ensuing Parliament session.
All eyes on Filipe Nery
In the 2002 Assembly election, then Minister Filipe Nery had quit the BJP to contest the election from Velim as an independent. Filipe Nery went on to retain his seat, defeating the Congress. Two decades later, Filipe Nery is all set to resign as a Minister and quit the BJP. Initial plans to embrace the TMC could not fructify. Wait and watch whether Filipe Nery will contest the ensuing polls from Velim as an Independent or on NCP banner.
