Signs of a possible realignment within the Congress have begun to surface following the Zilla Panchayat (ZP) poll results. For perhaps the first time, the party’s three MLAs appear to have drawn closer to former Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girishbab Chodankar, who seems determined to make a comeback as the State Congress chief. In the past, the Congress legislative wing had reportedly backed Captain Viriatbab Fernandes for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat over Girishbab. Interestingly, the organisational camp loyal to Congress president Amitbab Patkar maintains that there is no justification to replace the party chief, especially when the Congress has improved its ZP performance under his leadership. Wait and watch.
Praise or ploy? Girish’s remark raises Congress eyebrows
Former GPCC president Girishbab Chodankar was back in the news after the Congress surge in the recently held ZP polls—but for a different reason altogether. Under his leadership in 2020, the Congress had managed to win only four of the 50 ZP seats—three in South Goa and just one in North Goa. His recent remark that this was “perhaps the first time Congress MLAs worked hard to win seats” has triggered debate on two counts. Is Girishbab indirectly attributing the party’s poor 2020 performance to the then MLAs? Or is he attempting to curry favour with the three Congress MLAs, led by Leader of the Opposition Yuribab Alemao? You know why?
‘Think new in the New Year’: Yuri’s AAP remark rattles Cong
Leader of Opposition Yuribab Alemao’s statement suggesting that AAP leaders who feel “suffocated” should “think new in the New Year” has stirred a hornet’s nest within Congress circles. Many are reading it as an open invitation for AAP leaders to cross over to the Congress. This, however, raises a contentious question: will the Congress leadership throw open its doors to leaders from other parties when Congress workers themselves are demanding bodol (change), particularly in Velim and Benaulim, represented by AAP MLAs, ahead of 2027? Wait and watch.
Missing Alemao factor alters Benaulim Zilla P’yat equation
The Churchill or Alemao factor has historically influenced electoral outcomes in the Benaulim constituency—be it Zilla Panchayat or Assembly elections. Former minister Mickkybab Pacheco had once tapped into anti-Alemao sentiment to consolidate votes in his favour. Incumbent Venzybab Viegas, too, capitalised on the Alemao factor during the 2022 Assembly elections and later in the ZP polls to win Benaulim for the Aam Aadmi Party. This time, however, the Alemao factor was conspicuously absent—largely because Churchillbab stayed away from the ZP polls, at least officially. Those who previously benefitted from the sentiment were unable to leverage it this time around. Any questions?
Mhaje Ghar or backstabbing? BJP loss in Davorlim raises questions
Did Chief Minister Pramodbab Sawant’s Mhaje Ghar scheme fail to deliver for the BJP candidate in Davorlim, or did internal infighting cost the party the seat in the recent Zilla Panchayat polls? The BJP made a strong pitch around the Mhaje Ghar scheme, hoping to woo minority voters. Whether voters refused to fall for the bait remains to be seen. Meanwhile, BJP leader Satyavijaybab Naik’s charge that backstabbing by party leaders has contributed to his defeat has become the focal point of discussion within BJP circles. Wait and watch.
