Mahila Congress scouting for leader
This may come as a surprise for many that Congress leaders are finally looking out for a woman who will lead the state Mahila Congress Post-Assembly polls, the Mahila Congress has been virtually rendered rudderless, but party leaders showed no urgency to fill up the vacant post after Cynthiabai quit the post when Congress dumped her after promising her the Cortalim ticket. Well, sources now say that opposition leader Pratapsing Rane and GPCC chief Suhash Shirodkar are scouting for a woman across the state to don the Mahila mantle. And, they are believed to be exploring many options, including appointing a women from Xaxtidom to head the organization. It is not known whether veteran Monicabai is on the list of the Congress after she was unceremoniously removed from the post to pave way for Cynthia to take over. But, congress leaders are believed to have spoken about the vacant post to two prospective young women from Xaxtidom – Valanka and Pratima. Hold your breath. They are not in the race for the vacant post a la the youth Congress polls, but certainly they will not decline any offer if asked to lead the congress mahilas. Sources said that Pratima’s term as youth congress president expires three months from now and she will not mind taking over the reigns if it comes on a platter. And, Valanka is also believed to have sent a signal to the party leadership that she is willing to take up any position assigned by the party. Wait and watch this space as the party leadership has embarked on the plan to appoint the new mahila chief.
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BJP grooming Narendrabai for LS polls?
BJP’s Narendrabai once again descended on Xaxtidom during the weekend – this time for an interaction with the Muslim minorities. The increasing presence of Narendrabai is seen by many as BJP’s overt and covert plan to field him in the coming Lok Sabha polls from South Goa. While the state BJP leadership appears bracing up to back Gujarat’s Narendrabai for BJP’s battle for the post of Prime Minister, a section within the party are batting for Narendrabai (Chairman of Goa Law Commission) as the party’s south Goa candidate. That explains Narendrabai’s repeated presence in minority-dominated Xaxtidom – be it for birthday parties and party functions. For, the last time round he contested the South Goa polls, he came close to upset the apple cart of Sardinhbab, but Xaxtidom stood in the way of his victory. While Narendrabai has virtually kicked off his campaign in South Goa, and is leaving no stone unturned to woo the minorities, the BJP may have to field a question as to why the party has no plan to field a candidate from the minority community in South, when the sitting MP in North Goa belongs to the majority. In the past, the party had fielded incumbent NRI Commissioner Mesquitbab in South Goa, but may now not settle for a candidate from the minority community post Assembly polls. Especially, with Manoharbhai fully in control of his ‘Mission Xaxti’ and the three altar boys solidly behind the saffron brigade.
Mickky, Vijai take on collector
It was a week when flamboyant Mickky and his Fatorda counterpart, the wily Vijai literally took on district collector, Agrawalji over the state of affairs in the new Collectorate building. Mickky was in the collectorate in connection with the beach marathon when he came across the incomplete works all around. He point blank questioned the collector over the haste in which the Collectorate was thrown to the public. Agrawalji sought to defend himself by saying that any shifting has its own teething problems, but the explanation did not sound convincing to the Nuvem MLA, who took pot shots at the administration in his inimitable way. Well, in a strange coincidence, Fatorda MLA also went hammer and thongs against Agrawalji for the haphazard shifting of the Collectorate building. But, unlike Mickky, Vijai had a dig at the saffron brigade for its mute silence on the sufferings of the citizens visiting the Collectorate. He argued that the saffron brigade left no stone unturned to agitate even on petty issues during the Congress regime. Well, both Mickky and Vijay seems sharing common thoughts and ideas on a host of issues in recent times. The duo have made a common cause against the Mopa airport. In Xaxtidom’s politics, the slow but steady coming together of the Mickky-Vijai duo will be keenly watched by political observers, even as the Avertan-Benjamin-Caitu combine appears solidly rallying behind Manoharbhai in the political scheme of things. Co-incidentally, the trio was very much present for the collectorate building inauguration, while Mickky-Vijay were conspicuous by their absence.
All eyes on Arthur, Pratima
Margao Civic Chief Arthur’s 11 month tenure ends on Sunday. So is the case with his deputy Pratima. Both had assumed office nearly 11 months ago as per an unwritten agreement amongst the ruling group that they would step down and pave way for their successors after 11 months. The duo had then even submitted their resignations to the group. Some members of the group now want both Arthur and Pratima to honour their word and step down. They have decided to approach Bhai (not Manoharbhai), but local BJP leader and son of late Babu Naik, to get the duo honour the agreement.
With just two days left for their 11-month tenure to expire, there’s hectic behind the scene activity amongst the City Fathers and mothers in the corridors of the over-century old heritage building. Arthur loyalists say the Civic chief enjoys majority and they want him to continue in office. Sources close to Pratima, however, says that she is not too keen in continuing in office in violation of the agreement, while those waiting in the wings to occupy the coveted seat says the duo morally cannot occupy the posts after Monday. In the game of numbers, the Arthur camp has exuded confidence of enjoying majority support. They also appears banking on support from the Vijai Sardesai backed councillors. Is this the reason why Arthur is often seen in the company of Vjiai these days. Wait till the weekend for some action.
Muslims’ wait for kabrastan at Sonsodo continues
When then president of Margao’s Jamia Masjid, Najib Saudagar inked an agreement with the Margao Municipal Council on December 9, 2011, hopes were raised that the Muslim community will soon get a new and spacious burial grounds at Sonsodo. Around 15 months down the line, the promised Kabrastan is yet to take shape till date on the acquired land admeasuring 30,000 sq mts, reports Guilherme Almeida.
It was on December 9, 2011 that the Margao civic body signed a pact with the Jamia Masjid to hand over the acquired land at Sonsodo to the Muslim body for management and maintenance of the proposed burial grounds. The agreement was inked in the presence of then chief minister Digambar Kamat, Margao City Fathers and leaders of the Muslim community. While the agreement mandated the transfer of management and maintenance of the Sonsodo land to the Muslim body, it cast responsibility on the government and civic body alike to fund development of the land.
Herald inquiries revealed that the government in pursuance of the agreement had tendered the work of the kabrastan for an estimated amount of Rs 1.55 crore. The work includes hill cutting, construction of compound wall, construction of a prayer hall etc. The contractor was even issued the work order to commence and complete the work on the project by May 2012.
A visit to the site, however, revealed that work on the burial grounds is yet to commence till date. When Herald contacted the contractor Khandeparkar, he said he is willing to undertake the work and has sought extension of time limit since the deadline has expired in May 2012. “I could not commence work on the project for want of permission for hill cutting. I am willing to take up the work anytime,” he said.
When Principal Chief Engineer, J S Rego was contacted for his comments on the inordinate delay on undertaking work on the burial grounds, he said the project is not abandoned and work would commence no sooner approval is accorded for the revised plan by the Chief Minister’s office. “We have put a revised plan because of the gradient. We have now reduced size of hill cutting. The file is sent to the chief minister’s office for approval,” Rego said.
Incidentally, Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar had visited the proposed Kabrastan site opposite the Sonsodo waste dumping yard and had a look at the acquired land from his vehicle. Says Najib Saudagar: “We have been inquiring with the authorities, including town planning department on the fate of the Kabrastan project. It’s more than a year now since the Jamia Masjid had inked an agreement with the Margao Municipal Council, but the burial grounds has not seen light of the day till date”.
Land losers yet to get compensation
While the Digambar Kamat government rushed with the land acquisition for the Kabrastan, the Fernandes family, owners of the land, have been left high and dry by the previous government after being assured of adequate compensation including alternate land.
Of the total 30,000 sq mts of land acquired for the kabrastan, the Fernandes family owned nearly 16,000 sq mts. Says Mercelino Fernandes: “Digambar Kamat had promised to give us 4000 sq mts of alternate land in lieu of acquiring our land. But, we had requested that our family be compensated with 8000 sq mts since the land belonged to our joint family. Sadly, the government has not given us any alternate land till date”.
Marcelino has now plans to knock the doors of the Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar and Environment Minister, Alina Saldanha to help get adequate compensation for the lost land since Digambar Kamat is no longer in power and the promised land yet to become a reality.
Site unfeasible, community reiterates
Even as the government has been found dilly dallying on the commencement of work on the kabrastan at Sonsodo, the petitioner before the National Minority Commission Abdulmatin Carol has reiterated his stand that the Sonsodo site is not feasible for a burial ground for the minority community. “The PWD and the government should answer a simple question. Can a burial ground be feasible when the gradient is steep? The very land acquisition is mired in mystery. Digambar Kamat government had acquired the land against the wishes of the community,” he said, adding that the National Minority Commission will send its representative to Sonsodo later this month to find out the feasibility of the land for Kabrastan.
Carol demanded that the Parrikar government should honour the resolution passed by the Goa Legislative Assembly and acquire land at Aquem for the Kabrastan
