Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, Niz Goemkars may be anxious to know whether there’s any good news in store for them on the popular demand of special status for Goa. Observers recall when Modiji had descended in Goa around half a decade ago, he had promised to accord special status to protect Goa’s unique identity. Since then, the BJP has been ruling the State and at the Centre, but the issue of special status is somehow on the backburner. Goemkars indeed hope and pray for a positive answer on the issue from the PM on Goa’s 60th Liberation Day. Wait and watch.
Will Girish campaign for GF?
With the Congress stitching an alliance with the Goa Forward party, Fatordekars have a simple question to ask “ will GPCC chief Girishbab Chodankar hit the campaign in Fatorda for the alliance candidate and his long-time rival Vijaibab Sardesai in the ensuing polls. This question did the rounds in Fatorda countryside moments after pictures went rival showing the GPCC chief and the Goa Forward supremo holding hands along with other leaders, marking the formal announcement of the alliance. Wait and watch whether the GPCC chief, who is expected to address meetings in support of party candidates, descends on the Fatorda ground in support of the Goa Forward chief.
Now, task cut out for kumpars in Fatorda
Have the kumpars Luizinhbab Faleiro and Churchill Alemao any plan for Fatorda in the ensuing 2022 Assembly polls? And, how would the duo go about in ensuring the Trinamool Congress flag flies high on the Fatorda grounds? Well, Luizinhbab, who resides atop the Borda hillock in Fatorda and Churchillbab, have their own areas of influence in Fatorda constituency. That’s not all. Anticipating Cong-Goa Forward alliance, Vijaibab’s long-time political rival Ethelbai Lobo, had moved out from the Congress to embrace the TMC. For the moment, it isn’t clear TMC’s agenda for Fatorda. Wait and watch.
What’s Sardinha’s take on alliance
Has South Goa MP Francisbab Sardinha any comment to offer on the Congress-Goa Forward electoral alliance? A strong opponent of alliance, the MP had taken the initiative to mobilise and galvanise party rank and file in Fatorda, on the premise the Congress will have no truck with the regional outfit. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Sardinhbab had led over the BJP in Fatorda segment. Sardinhbab was clear in saying he would work hard for the Congress in all the Assembly segments coming under the South Goa LS constituency. Any questions?
Reginaldo’s credibility questioned
Congress working president Reginaldbab Lourenco might have survived the embarrassment caused to the party after his midnight presence at the Panaji hotel, since the party has re-nominated him in Curtorim. Questions, however, are being asked whether he will have a say when it comes to allocation of tickets to candidates elsewhere in the State. When Reginaldbab decided to stay put in the Congress on the occasion of his birthday, many had believed the three-time MLA might have extracted his pound of flesh, including a ticket or two for his close aides. Wait and watch.
