In whose favour the ongoing tug-of-war between members of the Congress Legislative wing and the party organisation will ultimately end is a question doing the rounds both within Congress circles and outside. Sources say the Legislative wing, led by Opposition Leader Yuribab Alemao, has been strongly advocating for an alliance with the Revolutionary Goans Party, while the party organisation, headed by GPCC chief Amitbab Patkar, appears to have other plans. Both factions have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of Goa desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare to break the deadlock. Wait and watch.
Cycle, bus or flight? RGP MLA’s jab as Thakare finally arrives in Goa
Goa Congress desk in-charge Manikrao Thakare finally arrived in the State over the weekend — but not before Revolutionary Goans Party MLA Vireshbab Borkar quipped whether the senior Congress leader had begun his journey to Goa by flight, train, bus, cycle, or on foot. Speaking to the media on Saturday morning, the RGP MLA pointed out that the Congress had been repeatedly assuring them that all alliance-related issues would be resolved only after Thakare’s arrival. With just a few days left before campaigning closes for the December 20 Zilla Panchayat polls, Borkar demanded clarity on Thakare’s travel plans, saying, “Time is running out.”
Benaulim Cong block seeks answers after Thakare’s arrival
Once news of Thakare’s arrival was confirmed on Saturday, members of the Benaulim Block Congress Committee rushed to the Congress House to seek answers regarding the delay in announcing party candidates for the Benaulim and Colva ZP seats. Sources said members of both blocks were keen to place their case before Thakare, especially since, unlike other constituencies, the Congress had already kick-started its campaign in Benaulim and Colva. Luizabai Rodrigues and Veniciabai Carvalho had completed extensive rounds of campaigning in anticipation of their potential nominations. Whether the duo will ultimately receive the party’s endorsement — or whether the leadership has other names in mind — remains to be seen. Wait and watch.
Congress pins hopes on South Goa MP for ZP push
With the Winter Session of Parliament beginning this week, Congress circles are abuzz with speculation over whether South Goa MP Captain Viriatbab Fernandes will be available to campaign for party candidates in the upcoming ZP elections. Many Congress workers are pinning their hopes on the South Goa MP, believing that the former Naval officer remains the party’s strongest contender to counter the challenge posed by non-BJP parties in the fray. Wait and watch.
Acid test for Cong as RGP steps into its stronghold
Will the Congress be able to counter the Revolutionary Goans Party factor in its traditional stronghold of Salcete in the upcoming Zilla Panchayat polls? This question has started doing the rounds in Saxtti’s political circles soon after the RGP decided to field candidates in Velim, Raia, Colva, and Nuvem — constituencies long regarded as Congress bastions. The question gains significance against the backdrop of the RGP’s impressive performance in Salcete during the 2022 Assembly elections. Wait and watch.
