Nothing seemed to stop Chief Minister Pramodbab Sawant from attacking the Congress dispensation that ruled Goa from 2007-12. At the International Seafarers Day programme, Pramodbab proudly declared that it was former CM late Manoharbai Parrikar who was instrumental in introducing the pension scheme for Goan retired seafarers. He minced no words when he reminded former CM Churchill Alemao, who was seated on the dais, that the Congress government had failed to introduce any such scheme during its tenure. Guess, who was heading the Congress government as Chief Minister in which Churchillbab served as the PWD Minister? None other than Congress-turned-BJP Margao MLA Diggu. Any takers?
Kamat denounces Emergency, raises eyebrows over his Congress legacy
Congress-turned-BJP Margao MLA Diggu stunned everyone, from law students to politicos and academicians when he slammed Indira Gandhi’s 1975 Emergency, terming the action as nothing but to save Indira to rule the country as a dictator. In fact, Diggu’s clear and unambiguous statement became a talking point at the Kare College of Law and outside soon thereafter, but for a different reason – whether the seasoned politician was not aware of the Emergency period when he ruled Goa for full five years as Chief Minister of the Congress government from 2007-12. Any questions?
Seafarers group honours Churchill amid rising tensions in Benaulim
Varca strongman Bab Churchill must be certainly pleased after being honoured by the Goan Seamen Association of India (GSAI) at the hands of Chief Minister Pramodbab Sawant. Reason: Churchillbab has time and again announced plans to contest the 2027 Assembly elections from Benaulim. Incidentally, Benaulim is presently represented by a seaman, Captain of the Merchant Navy, MLA Venzybab Viegas. That the GSAI headed by Frankbab Viegas and founder president Dixonbab Vaz, a known Venzybab critic, has honoured Churchillbab in the run up to the 2027 Assembly elections has indeed raised many an eyebrow amongst the seafaring community. Wait and watch.
Venzy gears up for 2027, flays CM’s seafarer pension promise
Aam Aadmi Party MLA Venzybab Viegas celebrated International Seafarers Day in his fiefdom Benaulim earlier this week. If political heavyweights including CM Pramodbab Sawant, former CM Churchillbab Alemao, besides former MP Narendrabab Sawaikar were all present at the seafarers day at the Margao Ravindra Bhavan organised by Goan Seamen Association of Goa, Venzybab organised a prostrate detection camp for the benefit of seafarers. That he took pot shots at CM Pramodbab Sawant for promising to hike the pension by Rs 1,000 if the seafarers vote for the BJP in 2027 showed that Venzybab is bracing up for a battle in 2027. And it’s becoming increasingly clear against whom.
Navelim push: 3-time ZP member Cipru Cardozo set to join Congress
Buzz emanating from Navelim indicates that the Congress has almost zeroed in on three-time Navelim Zilla Panchayat member Ciprubab Cardozo for induction in the party-fold. If sources in the Congress party are to be believed, Cipru is expected to embrace the Congress party in the first week of July at an induction programme to be attended by party top leadership. While it remains unclear what specific role Cipru will play in Navelim under the Congress banner ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, political observers are watching closely. Stay tuned.
