Aam Aadmi Party volunteers as well as political observers have been left to wonder whether AAP national leader Atishibai Marlena had taken the State party leaders in the loop before going to the media to announce party’s decision to go solo in the coming Goa polls. For, the AAP leader’s remarks sounded totally contrary to the stand adopted by Goa party chief Amitbab Palekar and others, who have been strongly rooting for alliance of anti-BJP parties in the 2027 Assembly election. Amitbab Palekar, besides party MLAs Venzybab and Cruzbab were seated on the dais when Atishibai made the announcement. Indeed, many a question remains unanswered.
A divided Opposition: Advantage BJP in Salcete
The saffron brigade must be certainly pleased with the unfolding developments in the Opposition camp post-AAP leader Atishi’s visit to Goa. For, the ruling dispensation knows for sure that what Mission Salcete could not do in the past could be achieved if the Opposition parties cross swords against each other, especially in the minority inhabited taluka. Attempts to woo the minorities towards the BJP had all come a cropper in the recent past. Opposition parties fighting for a slice of the secular cake should keep the saffron brigade in good stead a la the 2022 Assembly polls. Any takers?
Acid test for Congress to regain its bastion Navelim
The Congress leadership may have to grapple with a contentious question – has the leadership drawn up any plan to revive party’s fortunes in Navelim, the party’s bastion that had crumbled in the 2022 Assembly polls? Leave alone the 2027 Assembly elections, the party is facing an acid test, to put its act together for the ensuing Zilla Panchayat polls due in November this year. The Congress currently has no representation in the South Goa Zilla Panchayat from Navelim, with both the Navelim and Davorlim seats represented by an Independent and BJP respectively. Any questions?
Viriato vs Aleixo: NH-66 expansion sparks political faceoff in Nuvem
South Goa MP Captain Viriatobab Fernandes seemed raring to take on Environment Minister, heavyweight Aleixobab Sequeira in the fertile political plains of Nuvem constituency. The South Goa MP has taken up cudgels for the residents opposed to the expansion of the National Highway-66 along the Agnel Ashram-Carmel College stretch. Aleixobab seemed equally determined to get the highway expanded. He has issued directions to forest officials to grant sanction to cut trees lining up along the road. Wait and watch.
Father or son? Speculation grows over 2027 Margao poll battle
The grand Holi cum birthday celebrations organised by Model Margao, an initiative of Yogirajbab Kamat, indeed evoked huge response from Madgavkars. The celebrations also brought to the fore the same old question – who amongst the father-son duo of Digambar-Yogiraj Kamat will contest the 2027 Assembly election from Margao? The way Yogirajbab is systematically going about his work only shows he is either lending a helping hand to his father or is preparing the way to play a big role in the constituency, which has been his father’s fiefdom for three decades now. Any takers?
