Who will be GPCC chief?
Congressmen are keeping their fingers crossed over the appointment of GPCC chief after the maiden visit of AICC Goa desk in-charge, Digvijaisaab. Party leaders from Xaxtidom are watching closely whether the party high command would choose someone from Xaxti to galvanise the party rank and file after its fort crumbled during the last elections. While MP Sardinhbab had on more than one occasion shown his willingness to take over the GPCC mantle, his bête noire in Curtorim Reginaldbab is not far behind. In fact, the Curtorim MLA, who has not stopped attacking the saffron dispensation since day one, is also equally ready and is unlikely to shy away from presiding over the GPCC affairs. The name of former Power Minister Aleixobab, who has been maintaining low profile post-2012 elections is also being talked about in Congress circles. But former Nuvem MLA is believed to have told his friends and foes alike that neither he has asked for any party position nor the party leadership has ever hinted at him to take over the reigns of office. In fact, Aleixobab is keeping his cards close to his chest, even as he tells his friends that he would cross the bridge when it comes to it. Sources in the know say that Aleixobab’s contribution to the Congress organisation in Goa in providing spacious office to the District Congress, South, was conveyed to AICC in-charge of Goa Digvijaysaab by none other than veteran Congressman Eduardbab. In the meantime, the meeting of Congressmen-turned-Independent Vijaibab with Digvijaisaab during his visit to Goa has come as a surprising development. They are still trying to find out whether the meeting was in connection with reports on government instability or was it a move by the Fatorda MLA to send across a message to local Congressmen that he still continues to pull the right strings in Delhi despite being out of the party.
A surprising admission
He blamed all and sundry for his defeat and the rout of the Alemao family in the 2012 elections. Be the EVMs, Diggu, Luizinhbab et al, the Varca strongman blamed everyone and everything for his defeat. But perhaps for the first time post-2012 polls, Churchillbab has publicly admitted that people had ‘retired’ him from politics. The Varca strongman made the admission at the Ravindra Bhavan earlier this week when he was invited as a chief guest for a tiatr and was felicitated for his team winning the I-League championship. In his brief speech, Churchillbab made a mention of the tiatr director Pal Soares, who he said, is now a retired man. And he went to say that he too is now retired from politics. But the Varca strongman quickly corrected himself by saying that it’s the people who have retired him from politics. Churchillbab’s public admission assumes significance given that he still continues to believe in private that manipulation of the EVMs cost him and his family power. In fact, Churchillbab is closely keeping a tab on the developments on the EVM front to justify his claim that its manipulation led to his defeat. Meanwhile, the Varca strongman is believed to have air dashed to Delhi on an unknown mission. Sources said he is hoping that everything goes in his favour on the disqualification petition against Caitubab pending with the Union Home Ministry.
Will Nelly hold on?
Come August and South Goa Zilla Panchayat Chief Nellybai will be completing one year in office. As per agreement amongst her group, she was expected to step down to pave way for Aparna Naik to take over the ZP reigns. But reports doing the rounds in the Zilla Panchayat circles indicate that Nellybai may not vacate the chair. Though she was elected to the coveted seat with the support of ZP members, including those owing allegiance to the saffron dispensation, Nellybai may suddenly find support from the Congress-backed members as well. If Nellybai’s close aides are to be believed, she may muster the support of around 15-16 out of the total 20 members. Sources in the know say that Nellybai is an agitated lot with the Manoharbhai dispensation, having failed to give powers or funds to the ZP body during her tenure. She was promised Rs 20 crore development grant in aid by Manoharbhai after assuming office. But Nellybhai says that neither the promised funds nor devolution of powers have come in till date from the government side. What’s more, Nellybai is believed to have neither forgotten nor forgiven how Manoharbhai ignored her when she was promised Corporation post-Cortalim by-polls. Sources say that Nellybai was promised the State Commission for Women after she turned down offers from the opposition to contest the Cortalim by-polls against the BJP. But till date nothing has come forth. And Nellybai’s supporters say she is not bound to honour an agreement on power sharing if the ruling dispensation has failed to fulfil the promise made to her. Wait and watch as the D-day is fast approaching.
Put off by media criticism
Manoharbhai was in Xaxtidom this week with his three trusted Xaxti lieutanants ~ Avertano, Benjamin and Caitu. Nothing much was heard from the Chief Minister against the Congress, but he preferred to resort to media bashing in his inimitable style. While at the Loyola High School during an interaction with the parents over the school timings, Manoharbhai stopped short of making any major disclosure on the issue. The reason being that the media was very much present inside and he said the job of the media is to only create confusion. He did not stop there. He went to say that if he made an announcement of a solution to the problem, the media would be quick to accuse him for making yet another U-turn, this time on the school timings. Further taking a dig at the media for accusing him for not honouring the deadlines set for various projects, Manoharbhai said he is now extra cautious on setting deadlines. He blamed the media for highlighting the failures to achieve results within the time frame.
