Tawadkar in need of star power for Canaacona
The BJP knows the star power of the country’s defense minister and this was evident at the recent ‘maha’ meeting organized in Canacona. In the guise of talking about government initiatives, the BJP in Canacona used the meeting to get Parrikar to back its incumbent MLA Ramesh Tawadkar in front of 5,000 people – a similar tactic that was used to get the sports minister elected to power. However, as soon as Parrikar finished speaking, the crowd immediately began to disperse leaving Canacona residents wondering if Tawadkar has to rely on the former chief minister and present chief minister to bat for him. The government tried to block a meeting of a rival party and group around the same time as the Maha Meet which only led to further controversy. They recall that similar star power was used for the Canacona Municipal Election where Tawadkar failed to get a clean victory after his political rivals ganged up against him.
Joaquim’s trying to
muscle Congress
Stepping up the ante against the Congress following his recent proclamations, former Cuncolim MLA decided to have a show of strength where he grouped together Cuncolim councilors, and sarpanchas, panchas and former panchas, and Zilla members in issuing an ultimatum to the Congress to give him or his son a ticket. While this move is aimed at taking potshots at the other aspirants for the tickets from the party, it remains to be seen how Congress keeps its boat steady in Cuncolim.
