A piece of advice for Babush
The next time the Sultan of Taleigao visits Xaxtidom, he should not restrict himself to the Davondem bandh, the home of his close friend Vijaibab, or, to Martins corner, his favourite eating joint if he is serious in launching new political party. His plan to float a regional outfit has received a cold shoulder from the Independent MLA from Fatorda and his friends from Xaxtidom. Many in Xaxtidom feel the proposed new party may not take roots in politically dominant Xaxti unless Babush makes his presence felt everywhere. No doubt, he will have to contend with the likes of flamboyant Mickkybab and the Varca strongman, who enjoy considerable influence in their areas. Sources in the know say even the BJP is not enthused with Monseratte’s political plan. For, the saffron brigade may not like a new party to take roots right in their backyard in the capital city considered the party’s bastion. Well, the legislator from Santa Cruz must have expected some positive signals from Vijaibab. But, sources said the Fatorda MLA is in close touch with his Congress friends in the national capital. And, Vijaibab may not do something that might antagonise the Congress leaders in Delhi, who had gone out of their way to sabotage Sardinhbab’s ticket for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat.
CM reassures Avertano
Xaxti’s lone MLA Avertanbab may not have succeeded in giving a lead for the BJP in Navelim in the just concluded Lok Sabha poll. The Congress surge in Navelim may certainly be a cause for concern for the BJP-Avertan combine. But, hold on. Manoharbhai, sources said, have not taken serious cognisance of the poll result in Navelim that warrants any action. In fact, if sources are to be believed, the CM called up Avertanbab last week to reassure him that there’s no truth in rumours that the Fisheries Minister may face an axe. In fact, the Avertan camp appears an elated lot that Manoharbhai has no plans to replace Avertanbab in the immediate future. Well, with Avertanbab appeared firmly in the saddle, supporters of flamboyant GVP supremo Mickkybab may soon pose a query or two to the ruling dispensation whether the Nuvem MLA may at all find a berth in the Ministry. Or, whether Mickkbab will get a plum posting, if not a Cabinet berth, in lieu of his support to the saffron brigade in the election. With Manoharbhai preoccupied with Namo’s swearing in ceremony, this question will certainly come to haunt the saffron brigade in the coming days if not weeks. Just wait and watch.
Coup in Moti Dogor
With the saffron flag flying high atop Moti Dogor, Diggu found himself in an embarrassing situation with his stronghold falling to the BJP in the Lok Sabha polls. Sources said the Margao MLA, whose writ ran large atop the migrant hillock since his day as a City Father, was closeted with his personal assistant Teobab to analyse the gains made by the saffron brigade in his fiefdom. It is learnt that the former chief minister had even called for poll statistics from the district Congress Chief Subhash Faldessaibab to find out the extent of inroads made by his saffron rivals atop the hillock. Diggu, sources said, had to finally resign to his fate with the results clearly showing a saffron surge atop Moti Dongor. But, he does not blame the Moti Dongor inhabitants for throwing their lot behind the saffron brigade. In fact, Diggu says the migrants have voted not out of love for the saffronites, but out of fear with the demolition hammer hanging over them. And, the Diggu camp seems confident that their “Baba” will return back at Moti Dongor with a bang in the Assembly polls. After all, Diggu wasn’t a candidate in the just concluded Lok Sabha polls. Hope Reginaldbab has got the right message from Moti Dongor.
This is double standard
Strange are the ways of functioning of the Directorate of Panchayats. In fact, many an eyebrow has been raised in Xaxti’s political circles over the yardstick used to fill up the vacant posts of sarpanchas. No doubt, the Panchayat Raj Act mandates the Panchayat Director to fill up the post of sarpanch within 60 days it falls vacant. But, when the panchayats of Dramapur-Sirlim and Chinchinim in Velim Assembly constituency slipped out of the hands of Velim MLA Benjaminbab, the Panchayat Director took 50 days or more to fill up the vacant posts, giving wide scope for horse trading. No doubt, Panchayat Director Narayan Sawant has defended the delay saying the elections were held within the 60-day time frame. But, last week’s election of a new Benaulim sarpanch in Caitibab’s home village has indeed thrown up questions for the Panchayat authorities to answer. Benaulim Sarpanch Royla was voted out of office on May 8. And, within 15 days, Benauim village has a new Sarpanch in Remedius whose group owes strong allegiance to the Benaulim MLA Caitubab. Indeed surprising, isn’t it.
