Wednesday 30 Oct 2024

Congress leaders against turncoats returning after party’s LS triumph

GUILHERME ALMEIDA | AUGUST 11, 2024, 12:16 AM IST

Is there no place for the Congress turncoats in the grand old party anymore? Or, is it just that the defectors are bidding for time to return back to the party fold given the prevailing political scenario? Or, are the Young Turks dead against the return of the defectors back in the party? Well, with the Congress facing two back-to-back defections in the last five years, with as many as 18 MLAs defecting from the Congress, a section of party leadership have insisted there should be no place for the defectors come what may. What seemed to have emboldened this school of thought is the tsunami of voters that propelled party’s victory in South Goa in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Any questions?

Riding on Viriato’s performance, Congress upbeat for 2027 battle

With party South Goa MP Captain Viriatbab Fernandes kick-starting his stint in Parliament with a big bang, raising a host of issues dear to the heart of Goa and Goans, the Congress leadership appears in a hurry to encash on the MP’s popularity and performance to re-build the party in Goa. Congress leaders say the Kargil war veteran has begun his innings in the Lok Sabha on an impressive note, winning the hearts of people and confidence of party workers. Fresh from a resounding mandate, Congress leaders seemed keen and anxious to draft the Captain to do a surgical strike to boost party’s fortunes ahead of the 2027 Assembly election. Any questions?

Is Vijai’s Curchorem visit to target Cabral or to test political waters? 

Guess what’s the reaction of Congress leadership to Goa Forward party chief Vijaibab Sardesai’s plan to descend in Curchorem to cross swords with BJP MLA Nileshbab Cabral? Well, apart from the three-time BJP MLA, Curchorem is the home constituency of State Congress president Amitbab Patkar, who had come close to defeat Cabralbab, before going down fighting in the 2022 Assembly election. In fact, a senior Congress leader wondered whether Vijaibab is going to Curchorem just to teach a lesson to Cabralbab or to create a base for the regional party to test the political waters in 2027. Indeed a time for introspection in a season of coalition politics.

Will Digambar’s wait end amid speculations of Cabinet rejig?

With a Cabinet rejig buzz doing the rounds in ruling political circles, Diggu’s ardent supporters seemed hoping against hope that the Cong-turned-BJP Margao MLA will finally get a Ministerial berth in the Pramodbab Sawant government. Questions, in fact, are asked in local circles whether Diggu will finally be a part of the Pramodbab’s Cabinet during the reshuffle, with speculations rife it may take place after the auspicious month of Shravan. None other than Diggu knows for sure how crucial it is for him to get a Cabinet berth with just two years and half left for the 2027 Assembly polls. By the way, Diggu would complete two years next month on September 14 since he along with seven other Congress turncoats had embraced the saffron brigade. Any questions?

Sisodia’s release on bail echoes at Venzy’s birthday bash


Release of Aam Admi Party national leader Manishbai Sisodia upon Supreme Court’s directions had an echo in the Goa unit of the party. AAP’s vocal MLA Venzybab Viegas, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, termed Manishbai’s bail by the Apex Court as a wonderful birthday gift, saying that justice and freedom has prevailed. Venzybab further remarked that he is grateful for what he termed as a special day. Photographs of other AAP leaders with Sisodia also did the rounds on the social media. Political observers say, AAP leaders may now hope for the early release of Arvind Kejriwal, to take the battle in the BJP camp well ahead of the polls in Delhi and Haryana. Any takers?


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