Congress’ campaign ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan Abhiyan’ launched in Goa on Republic Day has been a talking point in political circles from Day 1. For, the Congress preferred to launch the campaign from Gomant Vidya Niketan hall when the historic Lohia Maidan venue would have helped the party to launch the programme with much fanfare by mobilising party rank and file from across the State. And, when the launch finally took place at the Gomant Vidya Niketan hall on last Sunday, the turnout of workers, sources said, was not at all impressive by any yardstick, more so when the programme was taking place in the party’s stronghold Saxttidom? Any questions?
Low turnout for event, early exit by Cong leaders raises eyebrows
The turnout at the Congress’ launch of the ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan Abhiyan’ at Margao on Republic Day has been a subject of debate in party circles. The programme also came under the scanner of political observers for another reason. Sources said some of the leaders left the venue one after another after addressing the workers. If sources are to be believed, both the AICC Goa desk in-charge, Manikrao Thakre and secretary Dr Anjali left the venue on the plea they have to catch flights at the airport. Opposition leader Yuribab Alemao and MLA Altonbab D’Costa too are believed to have left the venue after addressing the workers. Any questions?
Girish attends party campaign launch, but sits in audience
Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and ex-GPCC chief Girishbab Chodankar was conspicuous by his presence at the Gomant Vidya Niketan hall, Margao during the party’s launch of the campaign ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim and Jai Samvidhan Abhivan’ on Republic Day. What, however, raised many an eyebrow in party circles was that Girishbab preferred to take a seat in the audience in the company of party workers. Senior Congress vice-president and party veteran M K Sheikh made an announcement, inviting Girishbab to address the meet and take his seat on the dais, but in vain. You know why.
ZP polls: Will Opposition unite or compete against each other?
How will the Opposition parties go about the Zilla Panchayat polls scheduled in November later this year? After putting up a façade of unity last week, this question should certainly come to haunt the Opposition in the run up to the ZP polls. The question assumes significance given that the main parties, Congress, AAP, Goa Forward and Revolutionary Goans have been fighting for the same vote space. The Revolutionary Goans have already decided to go alone. Questions, however, are asked whether the Cong-AAP-GF will fight the ZP polls unitedly or treat the polls to show their respective strength before they stake claim for seats for the 2027 Assembly polls. Wait and watch.
GFP’s plan to boycott Assembly session finds no favour with Oppn
Goa Forward chief Vijaibab Sardesai may suddenly realise that there are hardly any takers from his Opposition colleagues for his proposal to hold a public session at the Azad Maidan, Panaji by boycotting the ensuing Assembly session. In fact, Vijaibab and his ‘Man Friday’ Durgadasbab Kamat have been left to wonder why the Opposition is not willing to boycott the ensuing Assembly session and put the government in the dock by holding a public session at the historic Azad Maidan. The proposal seemed to have evoked lukewarm response from the Opposition. Vijaibab, however, seemed to have still not lost hope. Wait and watch.
