Omission of Congress veteran Pratapsing Rane’s name from the first list of party candidates for the 2022 poll has left tongues wagging both within the Congress camp and outside. In fact, a day after the Congress unveiled the first list of party candidates, Congressmen from Saxttidom have been anxiously trying to figure out why Rane’s name did not find a mention in the list. Indeed, questions are being raised in party circles whether the omission of Rane’s name is more because of his reluctance to contest the ensuing polls on the party banner or otherwise. Many questions indeed remain unanswered.
Suspense over alliance continues
Why is the Congress leadership taking time to announce party’s alliance with the Goa Forward Party? Well, when Goa desk in-charge, Dinesh Gundu Rao and Diggu called on GF chief Vijaibab Sardesai on Tuesday evening for another round of talks, reports emanating from the Dovondem bandh indicated both sides have struck a deal. The deal, however, is still under wraps till date. Is the announcement kept on hold, awaiting approval by GPCC chief Girishbab Chodankar. Or, whether the two parties will unveil the alliance on the eve of Goa Liberation Day ahead of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Goa? Wait and watch.
When Digambar lost his temper
It was a week when Congress leader Diggu lost his cool when Congressmen from Sanguem came to see him to oppose MLA Prasad Gaonkar’s candidature. One who normally does not lose his cool, Diggu lost his temper as he questioned the Congress delegation why they have come to see him sans a prior appointment. He also questioned the delegation how their visit did the rounds on the media groups when he was not kept in the loop. Waiting scribes wondered whether Diggu lost his cool over the delegation’s failure to take his appointment or opposition to the Congress ticket of Prasad. Interesting, isn’t it.
Reginaldo survives the embarrassment
His opponents within the Congress and outside were hoping the Congress leadership will deny ticket to the three-time MLA after his midnight presence at the hotel where BJP stalwarts were putting up to discuss election strategy. Notwithstanding the embarrassment, Congress leadership has nominated party Reginaldbab Lourenco in Curtorim to contest on the Hand symbol, when many had believed the party may do a re-think. Observers say the party too had not many options in Curtorim after Congress leader Moreno Rebello switched sides to embrace the BJP a week ago. Any questions?
All’s not well within BJP in Curtorim
All seems not well in the Curtorim unit of the BJP post-entry of Congress leader Morenbab Rebello. The section led by ST leader Anthonybab Barbosa appears up in arms over Morenbab’s induction and projection as the probable party candidate. Supporters claim Barbosa was instrumental in taking the party to the ST and minority areas of the constituency through camps and programmes using his resources when many others had stayed away from the party. Wait and watch how the saffron brigade handles the emerging situation when Barbosa too has prepared grounds to throw his hat in the ring.
Kumpar Luizinho has task cut out in Navelim
When the kumpars, Churchill and Luizinho hugged each other on the Dando grounds, a clear signal went to their supporters seated in the audience, the two leaders have buried all past differences. Even before Mamata Didi took to the stage, Luizinhbab hugged his once bitter political rival to signify the duo are now in the same party. The TMC Rajya Sabha MP, however, has a task cut out “ to get the Alemao sibling Valankabai elected from his fiefdom Navelim in 2022. Can the combined strength of the Luizinho-Churchill duo ensure TMC victory in Navelim. Only time will tell.
