Will the war of words between Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai and AAP Benaulim MLA Venzybab Viegas affect the Opposition parties in any way, when as many as three elections are lining up in the next two years? Well, for a moment, well-wishers of INDI Alliance indeed appeared a worried lot, fearing that Opposition unity may go for a toss, just month after the INDI Alliance tasted success in the 2024 polls for the South Goa seat. That the Opposition MLAs have now pledged to stay united may bring a sigh of relief, but the bigger question remains unanswered – can the Opposition parties survive if they decide to go alone sans an alliance in 2027?
Cong leadership steers away from Venzy’s controversial remarks
The Congress leadership seemed to have steered away from the row kicked up by Benaulim Aam Aadmi Party MLA Venzybab’s comparison of Chief Minister Pramodbab Sawant to Goa’s first Chief Minister Dayanand Bandodkar. Given that relations between Congress and AAP has hit a low in Delhi with both parties crossing swords in the Delhi Assembly election, many thought the Goa Congress leadership will grab the opportunity to put AAP on the mat over Venzybab’s comments.
Not even the Congress second rung leaders, opposed to any tie-up with AAP, made any noise. On the contrary, Congress leader Sunilbab Kawthankar cautioned nothing should harm the Opposition unity in Goa. Any questions?
Vijai faces flak from all sides for his reaction to Venzy’s remarks
It was a week when Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai came under intense fire from all sides over his reaction to AAP MLA Venzybab’s statement correlating CM Pramodbab Sawant to first CM late Bhausaheb Bandodkar. CM Pramodbab led from the front to attack the Goa Forward chief from the State capital. Venzybab followed suit from Saxttidom, not only accusing Vijaibab for enjoying power with the BJP in 2017, but for supporting the government’s land conversion policies. The Dhavalikar brothers too roared from their den to put the record straight on Bandodkar’s role during the Opinion Poll. Interesting, isn’t it?
AAP MLA seizes opportunity to hit back at Fatorda MLA
As political opponents and activists went hammer and thongs against him over his statement correlating CM Pramodbab Sawant to Goa’s first CM Dayanand Bandodkar, Aam Aadmi Party Benaulim MLA Venzybab Viegas must have been waiting for the opportune time for a damage control. Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai’s reaction to the controversy seemed to have made the difference. Seizing the opportunity, Venzybab seemed to have hit at Vijaibab where it hit the most, when he reminded Goemkar’s how the Goa Forward had propped up the BJP government headed by Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar to power in 2017 when the mandate was clearly against the saffron brigade. Any questions?
Palak Mantri twist: Oppn party neta’s surprise request to Babush
This may sound indeed strange. Saxtti political circles were abuzz with speculations that a request had reportedly gone to Revenue Minister Babush Monserrate to become the Palak Mantri of one of the Salcete constituencies. It’s not clear whether the Sultan of Taleigao has accepted the request or has politely declined to take up the responsibility in Saxttidom as a Palak Mantri. Who’s this Opposition party neta and why he wanted Babush to be the Palak Mantri? Political observers are on the job to find out the truth behind the speculations. Wait and watch.
