Reports of a possible postponement of municipal elections have been doing the rounds since the Cabinet decided to promulgate an Ordinance empowering the State Election Commission to conduct local body polls. Interestingly, speculation about delaying the civic elections has persisted for over a month now, but for a different reason. Sources suggest that some Ministers are wary of holding municipal polls ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. With no dearth of party workers eager to contest, Ministers and MLAs fear that backing one candidate could alienate others in the fray. A tricky balancing act indeed. Wait and watch.
Goa Congress abuzz over who brought Palekar into fold
It was a week that saw a photograph of newly inducted Amit Palekar with Congress Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare and AICC leader K C Venugopal in Delhi doing the rounds. Back in Goa, however, the Congress camp is grappling with a key question — who facilitated Palekar’s entry into the party? Was it the camp aligned with Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, or the faction led by GPCC chief Amit Patkar? Or did the Goa desk in-charge play a decisive role in bringing the former AAP leader into the Congress fold? Another question gaining traction: will Amit Palekar be fielded as the Congress candidate from the Santa Cruz constituency? For now, it’s a wait-and-watch situation.
Beyond activism? Trio’s Cuncolim presence fuels speculation
Elvis Gomes, Dr Jorson Fernandes and Sammy Tavares coming together on a common platform in support of ‘Enough is Enough’ movement.
While Kamats step in, MMC’s ABC failure under scrutiny
PWD Minister Digambarbab Kamat and his son Yogiraj Kamat, who heads the Model Margao NGO, may well receive bouquets for launching a three-week dog sterilisation and anti-rabies vaccination drive. With stray dog numbers and bite incidents on the rise in Margao, the initiative comes as a much-needed intervention. In contrast, the Margao Municipal Council could face criticism for its failure over the past five years to address the issue effectively. Questions are bound to be raised over why the Animal Birth Control (ABC) programme has failed to take off in the city since 2021.
New equations emerge as Patkar, Vijai bonhomie gains ground
GPCC chief Amit Patkar and Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai at the South Collectorate in support of Velsao villagers affected by the double tracking project.
While relations between Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai and Leader of Opposition Yuribab Alemao remain strained — especially after Alemao’s “Judas” remark — a different equation seems to be emerging elsewhere. The growing bonhomie between Goa Congress President Amitbab Patkar and Vijaibab is becoming increasingly evident. The two leaders have jointly taken up issues ranging from support for victims of sexual assault in Curchorem to standing in solidarity with Velsao villagers affected by railway projects. In Goa’s ever-shifting political landscape, new alliances often speak louder than old rivalries. Any questions?
