The general’s got Churchill thinking
Like most Navelkars, the Varca strongman too was aware of Avertanbab’s birthday bash planned at Sinquetim ~ the residence of the Navelim MLA. He must have expected the saffron brigade to descend on Sinquetim to wish the birthday boy. But what Churchillbab must have certainly not expected was a birthday advertisement with Avertanbab sporting a military uniform, leading the people’s army from Navelim. The Varca strongman, sources said, was confused and perplexed how his bête noire could don the military uniform and lead a people’s army. His players from Manipur and Nagaland must have had in the past briefed him how people’s armies had played havoc and made life unbearable for people in the North East. All Churchillbab knew about Avertanbab was that his bête noire was once a goalkeeper who gradually graduated to handle security and bouncers ~ a role quite different from the army. So, Churchillbab is believed to have turned to his think tank and legal advisors seeking more information on the episode. But before the Varca strongman could get the answers, came the saffron brigade marching to Margao. Unlike the Varca strongman, the saffron brigade had no problem with Avertanbab donning a military uniform. In fact Manoharbhai’s deputy Francisbab went a step further and declared that the saffron dispensation has now a commander commanding the forces down south and in Xaxti. Is Churchillbab listening?
Plucked from the plaque
It turned as expected. Diggu, Vijaibab and Arthurbab stayed away from the inaugural function of the district Collectorate building. They were angry and felt belittled and insulted that Manoharbhai did not consider their names on the building plaque. But Manoharbhai showed no remorse or regrets over his decision. In fact, he stoutly defended the decision by saying that protocol only mandates inclusion of names of ministers on the plaque. But the absence of a whole lot of MLAs from down South raised many an eyebrow amongst those attending the inaugural function. Amongst the six MLAs were the trio comprising of Avertanbab, Benjaminbab and Caitubab. Their detractors prefer calling them the “altar boys” of the ruling dispensation as they are often seen or moving around together. In fact, the detractors sought to know from the media whether all the three altar boys turned up for the function. The prominent absentee from Xaxtidom was flamboyant Goa Vikas Party supremo Mickkybab. His GVP MLA Caitubab was present for the inauguration, but Mickky was not seen around. Babu Kavlekar turned out the lone Congress MLA at the function. You know, why. But, BJP’s Dambab was the cynosure of all eyes as he arrived at the Collectorate just minutes before Manoharbhai made his presence felt. Dambab must have been certainly pleased with Manoharbhai’s decision to exclude Diggu and Vijaibab’s names on the plaque. He once again proved to all and sundry that he calls the shots when it comes to Fatorda.
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Plaque protocol thrown to winds
It was a sheer coincidence that the row over the plaque also hit the village panchayat of Rumdamol in Navelim constituency. Before Avertanbab could inaugurate the panchayat office building on his birthday, hectic behind-the-scene activity was witnessed between the panchayat members and the saffron brigade. Sources said members of the saffron brigade were left fuming when the panchayat decided to restrict the names on the plaque to the VIPs and the panchayat members. They were upset that the names of handicraft director Ulhas Tuemkar and Haj Committee Vice-President, Sheikh Jina were left out from the name plaque. Sarpanch Sofia Sheikh was in a quandary since the plaque was already given the final touches and ready for installation at the panchayat office. But the saffronites believe in the maxim that it’s never too late. And their lobbying paid dividends when it was finally agreed to add the names of the local BJP leaders on the plaque. While Manoharbhai insisted on protocol when it came to names on the plaque, the same protocol was literally thrown to the winds at Rumdamol.
Getting closer through birthday parties
Throwing lavish birthday parties must be certainly alien to saffron culture. Manoharbhai himself is opposed to any celebrations on his birthday, while his colleagues from the saffron brigade keep birthdays a low-key affair. But saffronites may suddenly realise that birthday celebrations of politicos in Xaxtidom is not just a fashion, but an expensive affair. The ‘parivartan’ brought about by last year’s Assembly elections saw the saffron brigade marching to Xaxtidom to join the birthday celebrations of members of the alliance partners ~ whether it’s Mickkybab, Caitubab, Benjaminbab and Avertanbab. Defeated Congressmen have now begun to realise that the presence of the ruling dispensation ~ right from Manoharbhai to his deputy Francisbab and the BJP chief Vinaybhai and Narendrabhai ~is turning out a to be a win-win situation for the hosts and the VIP guests as well. The presence of VVIPs sends out a message to the local supporters the importance the local MLA enjoys with the dispensation. And it helps the saffronites to further come closer to Xaxtikars and win their hearts and votes too. Well, saffronites’ honeymoon with Xaxtikars continues and the saffron brigade will keep coming to Xaxtidom with the Lok Sabha polls round the corner. BJP’s Narendrabhai (not the Gujarat Chief Minister, but our own Law Commission Chairman) is a prominent figure spotted in Xaxtidom in recent months ~ be it at birthday parties or other functions. No reward for the right guesses.
