Guess the fate of the Goa First alliance stitched together by the Aam Aadmi Party and Goa Forward Party just a fortnight ago to take on the BJP in the upcoming Goa Legislative Assembly election. Not much has been heard about Goa First anymore from the Goemkar Ghor, the headquarters of the Goa Forward Party. Nor has one come across AAP leaders carrying the Goa First alliance banner as part of their ongoing campaign against the government. Wait and watch, as Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai is now batting for a grand alliance of like-minded parties to take on the BJP in 2027.
With grand alliance on the table, AAP’s stand unclear
Will the Aam Aadmi Party be part of the “Grand Alliance” of opposition parties—the latest proposal mooted by Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai and seemingly vetted by none other than Congress national general secretary K C Venugopal? This question became a talking point in political circles earlier this week for the simple reason that while Venugopal and Vijai separately spoke about a grand alliance of opposition parties, AAP leaders continued their attack on the Congress over the recent defections in Rajasthan, where candidates elected on the Congress ticket supported the BJP in forming the corporations. Any questions?
All eyes on Cong yatra as it’s set to enter Vijai’s backyard
Will they or will they not enter Fatorda, the constituency represented by Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai, when the Congress’ Goy Rakhon Yatra makes a grand entry into Salcete on October 7? The question assumes significance against the backdrop of the fact that, in the recent past, the Congress has rarely held public programmes in Fatorda, considering that the regional party is an alliance partner of the principal opposition party. As per the itinerary, the Congress yatra is scheduled to enter Fatorda on October 7. Wait and watch.
Two Rs 100-crore claims, one intriguing political equation
This may make for interesting reading. When a new political party approached the Election Commission of India for registration as the Goa Congress Party, Congress president Girishbab Chodankar was quick to claim that the ruling dispensation would spend Rs 100 crore on the new outfit. Days later when the Goa Forward Party and the Aam Aadmi Party stitched up their alliance, Congress MP Captain Viriatobab Fernandes claimed that this was part of the Rs 100-crore deal allegedly signed in London. Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? If the ruling dispensation is ready to spend Rs 200 crore just to split the non-BJP vote.
Yuri’s wife Melisa steals the show at Goy Rakhon Yatra
It was All India Congress general secretary K C Venugopal who launched the Congress’ Goy Rakhon Yatra, giving the party’s movement against the BJP a much-needed impetus. But who stole the show was none other than Melisa bai, the wife of Leader of Opposition Yuribab Alemao. For a moment, even Congress Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare and Secretary Anjali Nimbalkar seemed to be trying to figure out who the woman accompanying the yatra and walking alongside Yuribab was—before the realisation dawned that she was none other than the Opposition leader’s wife. Any questions?
