Alemao’s message of unity
Kennedy’s son Khruschchev threw a lavish 21st birthday bash to his friends and well wishers earlier this week. The birthday celebrations brought the Alemaos and their siblings together at a starred resort at Majorda and helped dispel rumours of a rift in the Varca-based Alemao clan. Alemao’s long time friend Vijaibab – who had moved away from the Alemao’s on the question of family raj – was not only conspicuous by his presence, but had the privilege of raising the toast in honour of Khruschchev. Well, sources in the know said that Joaquimbab took the opportunity to send across the message that the Alemaos are united like solid rock never before. Since his sudden resignation from the Churchill Brothers triggered speculations of a rift in the Alemao clan, Joaquimbab, sources said, took pains to clear all doubts of any rivalry between him and elder brother Churchillbab. He even told the media at Cuncolim that he and Churchillbab had shared on bed and continues to do so till date, seeking to drive home the point that there’s no rivalry in the Alemao clan. Unity has been the hallmark and forte of the Alemao family. It’s their unity that had helped them to weather many a political storm in the turbulent world of politics spanning over two decades. Aaware that the rift theory threatens to damage the Alemao’s image, they now appear engaged in a damage control exercise to ensure that a wrong message does not go out, which would do no good for the family in the political schemes of things, at a time when they are preparing the road map for their political comeback. That explains the anxiety on the part of the family – especially the Churchill-Joaquim duo — to put up a united face. The Alemao’s seems to have finally understood the adage “United we stand, divided we fall”. But, Joaquimbab’s absence at the Tilak Maidan when Churchill Brothers were crowned the I-league title and for the celebrations at the Blasco executive will continue to be mired in mystery for a long, long time to come.
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Parrikar bats for RSS
Manoharbbhai was in minority dominated Xaxtidom this week to name the district Collectorate building after his close friend Matanhybab. His association with the RSS is well known. During his previous tenure as chief minister, Manoharbhai was spotted sporting khaki shorts amidst the Swayamsevaks. That was nearly close to a decade ago and much water has flown down the river Zuari since then. While speaking at the Collectorate building naming ceremony, Manoharbhai made a passing reference to the RSS. He made the reference in the context of an organisation named after his late wife providing medical services to the common man. He said the organisation run by people close to the RSS has a driver hailing from the Muslim community. Manoharbhai said that many think that RSS is against Muslims and Catholics. This is a wrong notion, he asserted, adding that a wrong notion is being created against the RSS. Nonetheless, he said, the wrong notion has already been created and it was not addressed at the right time, while saying that he has no plans to go into its merits. The saffron dispensation has been trying to build bridges with the minorities in Xaxtidom since the last one year. They must have been caught on the wrong foot over the beef fiasco when the minorities had to go without beef for a couple of days. Government opponents would certainly accuse the government for naming the magnificent building after a minority leader as part of BJP’s agenda to keep the minorities in good humour. Even Churchilbab could not resist making a sarcastic remark that the BJP should have no problem in wining South Goa with the government coming out with schemes for the minorities, naming the Collectorate after Matanhybab and making beef available in abundance. Opponents may now gun for Manoharbhai for openly batting for the RSS.
Damu looking beyond Fatorda
Dambab is on the move. Chowgule College might be located in Fatorda, but he has taken up cudgels for all the beleaguered students from Xaxti and down south. He says no student from Xaxti should be denied admissions, come what may. His detractors might try to find Dambab’s sudden love and affection for Xaxti when he is engaged in a running battle with Vijaibab on Fatorda grounds. Well, Dambab, if sources are to be believed, is not averse in playing a bigger political role beyond Fatorda. The 2014 Lok Sabha polls are fast approaching and Dambab has set his eyes on the South Goa seat. His close aides have sent feelers to the party leadership to consider Dambab’s candidature for South Goa. Dambab may have left the ticket issue to the party leadership to decide. But, he is preparing the ground in right earnest to make a strong case for the BJP ticket. A section of the saffron brigade might throw their weight behind front runner Narendabhai given his RSS background. But, Dambab is expected to flaunt his Bhahujan Samaj card (sorry, the Bhandari Samaj card). And, his supporters say that Dambab is confident of garnering Xaxti’s sizeable minority vote – without which the saffron outfit cannot hope to win the seat. After all, he has been patronising Tiatr and Konkani programmes during the last one year as Chairman of Ravindra bhavan. That’s not all. Dambab has literally emerged as the power centre in Xaxti. He is one BJP leader without the rank of MLA, who has distributed hundreds of sanction letters – be it the DSSS, Ladli Laxmi or Griha Aadhar scheme. His detractors, however, are perplexed over the repeated presence of Narendrabhai in Xaxtidom at government-sponsored and functions. Wait and watch as the race for the LS ticket within the saffron outfit intensifies in the months ahead.
Joaquim planning comeback
It turned out a week when Joaquimbab finally made his presence felt in Cuncolim constituency after a year in hibernation post-2012 Assembly polls. Many may be quick to label Joaquimbab as a shrewd businessman, but he has turned out a seasoned politician too. Unlike other Congress heavyweights, decimated in the assembly polls, Joaquimbab has publicly sounded apologetic to his constituents for mistakes that cost him the seat. At the Cuncolim Congress block meet at Chandor, he utilised major part of his speech to profusely apologise for his mistakes and that of his party. Only time will tell whether the people of Cuncolim are willing to forgive and forget his mistakes. Well, many a political observer would wonder why Joaquimbab preferred to hold the block meet at Chandor instead of Cuncolim. The reason is not far too seek. Joaquimbab says that it was Chandor along with panchayat areas of Guirdolim, Paroda, Macazana and Ambaulim that ensured his defeat in the hustings. It was in these villages that young lawyer, Adv John Monteiro virtually had a clean sweep enough to ensure Joaquimbab’s defeat. And, Joaquimbab now seems to have made up his mind to make a political comeback from Cuncolim. Whether his decision to make a political comeback, would go down well with the Congressmen from Cuncolim and his long time political opponents remains to be seen.
For the moment, he is believed to be looking for space to reopen his office in Cuncolim.
