Caitu’s misery, Alemaos’ joy
After virtually remaining in hibernation post-2012 polls, Varca-based Alemao clan appears to be bracing up for a political comeback. Their joy knew no bounds after the Home Ministry declared their bête noire Caitubab a Portuguese citizen. While nothing much was heard from ladli daughter Valankabai on the Home Ministry’s verdict, the Varca strongman virtually went overboard, even going to the extent of saying that it’s just a matter of time before the Benaulim MLA is sent packing home. It’s now a foregone conclusion that Churchillbab will throw his hat in the ring in the event of a by-poll in Benaulim. But sources in the know say the Varca strongman, who had one unfulfilled wish to see daughter Valanka make a career in electoral politics, has not lost all hopes. He must be hoping that the High Court will not only disqualify Caitubab, but may qualify daughter Valanka as the Benaulim MLA. However, the Caitu camp, sources said, isn’t going to allow the Alemaos planned return to politics a smooth affair. Backed by Manoharbhai, anti-Alemao forces appeared bracing up for a protracted legal as well as political battle. Since the Home Ministry’s order threatens to have serious implications for thousands of Goans who have registered their births in Portugal for employment, the anti-Alemao forces are planning to turn the tables on the Alemaos by holding them responsible for putting ordinary Goans in deep trouble. The battle, it appears, has just begun. Watch out for this space.
In good times and bad
These three MLAs from Xaxtidom ~ Avertan, Benjamin and Caitu ~ have been Manoharbhai’s lieutenants from minority-dominated Xaxtidom ever since the saffron dispensation assumed office in 2012. The trio have been together in good and bad times, holding the fort for the saffron brigade in the minority heartland. So when Caitubab faced the heat in the wake of Home Ministry’s ruling that he is not an Indian citizen, Avertanbab and Benjaminbab rallied behind their beleaguered colleague. They are believed to have reassured the Benaulim MLA that all is not over, promising to stand by him and fight till the last. And both Avertanbab and Benjamin accompanied Caitubab to General Manoharbhai with a plea to fight back and foil any attempts by the Alemaos to return back to politics. Avertanbab in particular appeared a confident lot, that nothing would happen to his colleague, promising that the legal battle will be no cakewalk for the Alemaos. That’s not all. Both Avertanbab and Benjaminbab were spotted in Goa Niwas in Delhi when Caitubab was holed up in the national capital in connection with the legal battle ahead. There’s no love lost between the Fisheries Minister and Churchillbab, after he tamed the Varca strongman in Navelim in the 2012 polls. Certainly, the Navelim MLA would not want Churchillbab to regain lost ground, either in Benaulim or Navelim. Remember the good old saying friends in need are friends indeed!
Siding the enemy?
Luizinhbab had always been the punching bag of the Alemaos and Radharao in Xaxti’s politics. So much so, the former Chief Minister was always blamed for the ills plaguing Xaxtidom during his long stint in power. With Luizinhbab working his way to Delhi post-2007 polls and enjoying power in the scheme of Congress politics, he is once again in the firing line of his detractors back home. From day one, the Churchill camp had been suspecting kumpar for throwing his lot behind Caitubab, even holding him responsible for the inordinate delay by the Home Ministry to give its verdict in the citizenship case. So when the Home Ministry finally gave its verdict, the Alemaos and Radharao were once again at their usual best, dragging Luizinhbab into a row of sorts. Both Churchillbab and Radharaobab worked overtime to alert the media on late Friday evening that Caitubab has headed straight to Caminho de Monte ~ the Borda residence of the AICC general secretary ~ to hand over Xerox copies of the Home Ministry’s order. Radharao in particular was so sure that Caitubab landed at Luizinhbab’s residence with the Xerox copies of the order that he went to town stating that his suspicions over Luizinhbab’s complicity stands vindicated. For his junior is believed to have seen that copies of the Home Minister’s order were Xeroxed at Borda, but it remains a mystery whether it was Caitubab or his PA Elvisbab or none of them who had headed to Luizinhbab’s residence with the order. On his part, the AICC general secretary, who returned from Delhi late that evening, after a hectic day in Mizoram, has rubbished all talks of Caitubab approaching him with the Home Ministry’s order. Members of the Fourth Estate who rushed to Luizinhbab’s residence on the Borda hillock on Friday night returned back without any story.
UGDP back in action
Xaxti-based UGDP is back in action. The Caitu citizenship issue brought back its two faces ~ the all powerful Anacletbab and his second in command, Radharobab into focus once again. Nothing was heard of these leaders post-2012 polls after the UGDP suffered a severe drubbing from the electorate. It’s not known whether the two leaders have plans to revive the fortunes of the regional party. Radharaobab says the party will join the electoral battle in the event of a by-poll in Benaulim. This implies that the UGDP will take on either Churchill or the Congress in the by-poll. But he is equally aware of the bitter fact that the UGDP cannot use the sentimental Two Leaves symbol anymore following the party’s de-recognition after the dismal show in the last elections. Politics apart, the Caitu citizenship issue, however, has come as a god-sent opportunity for Radharaobab to fire salvos at Manoharbhai and the saffron dispensation. He has not spared the freedom fighters either, who had raised a banner of protest against the arrival of the Portuguese ship at Vasco. Well, his detractors now says that while Radharao was quick in demanding Caitubab’s resignation over his foreign citizenship, the UGDP surprisingly has not raised a similar demand with Colva police registering FIR against Moises Vaz, the sarpanch heading Radharao’s home village Majorda. No guess work please.
