Amcho Avaz Vijai – from your doorstep to the Assembly, an initiative of the Goa Forward Party in the run-up to the Goa Legislative Assembly session, may have a competitor this time around. The Congress has launched a similar programme, Avaz Tumcho, Sangat Amcho, a district-level public outreach initiative aimed at collecting public suggestions to be raised in the Assembly. Take note: It’s an election year, and no political party – even alliance partners – is willing to take chances. Is there more than meets the eye? Wait and watch.
Sound norms row: Vijai cites CM’s House assurance, seeks defiance
Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai’s call for civil disobedience to end what he terms discrimination against Goan weddings and traditional programmes under sound pollution norms makes for interesting reading. His argument is straightforward: why are authorities making a prestige issue of enforcing sound norms when Chief Minister Pramodbab Sawant had assured him on the floor of the House that the government was not keen on stopping weddings and local programmes by 10 pm? Vijaibab’s call has drawn attention, coming as it does against the backdrop of the upcoming Carnival festivities on his home turf, Fatorda. Wait and watch.
Patkar or Chodankar? GPCC leadership buzz gathers steam
Is Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief Amitbab Patkar firmly in the saddle, or will he remain in the hot seat only till the upcoming Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections due in April-May 2026? This question is doing the rounds within Congress
circles and beyond, as party rank and file attempt to gauge Amitbab’s future as PCC chief and the possible return of former GPCC chief Girishbab Chodankar. Girishbab’s supporters appear confident of his comeback after the Tamil Nadu elections, where he serves as Congress desk in-charge. But will the Patkar camp accept such a move lying down? Many questions remain unanswered.
Altone’s remark on Patkar exposes Congress unease
Congress MLA Altonebab D’Costa’s remarks directed at GPCC chief Amitbab Patkar –that the latter should first become an MLA before commenting on stitching political alliances – has raised more than a few questions. Is Altonebab suggesting that only those who have won elections understand the language of alliances? Or was the MLA taking a pot shot at the party president for expressing reservations about political tie-ups for the 2027 Assembly elections? Whatever the intent, the remarks have once again brought to the fore the fact that all is not well between Congress MLAs and the GPCC chief in the aftermath of the Zilla Panchayat polls. Questions remain.
Kamat strikes confident note ahead of Margao civic battle
PWD Minister Digambarbab Kamat exuded confidence personified when a scribe asked whether he was ready for the upcoming Margao Municipal Council elections. As expected, Diggu was quick to respond that he is ready for an election even if it is held tomorrow. More than anyone else, the PWD Minister knows the importance of the civic polls, coming as they do ahead of the crucial 2027 Assembly elections. Wait and watch as Diggu is expected to soon roll out his trademark door-to-door campaign.
