For a moment, protesters demanding FIR against Subhash Velingkar at the Margao Police Station on Friday were left to wonder over the whereabouts of the MLAs and politicians. Around that time, Aam Aadmi Party Velim MLA Cruz Silva was the lone MLA seen at the Margao Police Station with hundreds of protesters. It was only late Friday evening that Opposition Leader Yuribab Alemao and MLA Altone D’Costa made their presence felt in support of the protesters. The duo along with MP Captain Viriato, MLA Cruz and AAP chief Amit Palyekar and hundreds of protesters later staged a road blockage at the Old Market circle past midnight. Any questions?
Flashback: How Ordinance altered MMC polls, paved way for BJP win
Just a flashback, it was around this time in the year 2022 that the Goa Municipalities Act, 1968 was amended via an ordinance, but for a different reason – to scrap the time tested system of election by ballot boxes and introduce election by show of hands. Not many may remember how the saffron brigade could win the election for the post of Margao Municipal Chairperson via show of hands after having lost the election for the same post through secret ballot. The Ordinance not only facilitated the Lotus to bloom at the Margao civic body after 17 long years, but it paved way for Congress-turned-BJP Margao MLA Diggu to have his Man Friday Damubab Shirodkar to preside over the civic body. You know why?
Questions on tenure resurface as Damu marks 2 yrs as MMC chief
It will be two years on October 12 that Margao Municipal Chairperson Damubab Shirodkar will complete two years in office as civic chief. When he had assumed office two years ago, many a ruling and Opposition councillor had believed that Damubab may remain in office for a year and half to two years. Even ruling councillors had time and again sought to know from party leaders, Diggu and Damubab Naik over Damubab’s tenure. With the MMC chairperson completing two years in office on October 12, the same old question can be heard in the corridors of the Margao Municipal building and outside. Wait and watch.
War brewing between Venzy, Dixon over Cavelossim plot sub-division
It was a week when Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas and Cavelossim Sarpanch Dixonbab Vaz came face to face over what local observers called a turf war between the seafarers-turned-politicians. What brought the duo face to face was a proposal for sub-division of plots in Cavelossim village headed by Dixonbab. The Cavelossim sarpanch has been left fuming over the MLA’s remarks that he will be held responsible for the sub-division of plots, so much so that Dixonbab thundered that the 2027 Assembly election will be a game changer in Benaulim constituency. Any questions?
Reginaldo’s quiet b’day celebration echoes at Margao road blockade
Curtorim Independent MLA Reginaldbab Lourenco celebrated a quiet birthday on Saturday with close family, friends and well-wishers. A couple of MLAs did make it to Curtorim to extend birthday wishes to the four-time MLA. Reginaldbab’s birthday, however, had an echo at the road blockade enforced by protesters demanding arrest of Subhash Velingkar in neighbouring Margao. For, a food deliver boy, who was stopped at a road blockade, Margao, was told to deliver the food items to Reginaldbab’s house. Any questions?
