Shantaram-Vijai equation
It was a week when State Congress president Shantarambab Naik descended at Canacona to take stock of the damage caused by the unseasonal rains in the State's southern taluka. The GPCC president with South Congress district president Joebab Dias in tow went on to demand that the government make public the NIO study report on the unprecedented flooding that occurred in Canacona over half-a-decade ago. What, however, took many a politicos aback was the fact that Shantarambab sounded appreciative of the measures initiated by the Agriculture department headed by his long-time friend and Agriculture Minister Vijaibab Sardesai. Even before Shantarambab returned to Margao from Canacona, Vijaibab went to the town, stating that efforts of the agriculture officials to provide relief to the beleaguered farmers found favour with the main opposition party. Indeed a strange coincidence.
Wagh book: CM's decision draws GF ire
Goa Forward party may be a coalition partner in the Manoharbhai-led BJP government ruling the State in the last six months. Party chief Vijaibab Sardesai may even insist that it was the Goa Forward party that got Manoharbhai quit the Defence portfolio to head the coalition government post-March 11. Party leaders, however, insist that they are not supposed to toe the Chief Minister's line or stand on issues affecting the State. This became apparent at the meeting of writers and activists in Saxttidom last week wherein Manoharbhai's decision to scrap the award for Vishnu Wagh's controversial book Sudhirsukt came in for severe condemnation. And, prominent amongst those who expressed their indignation at Manoharbhai's decision was none other than students-turned-activists and Goa Forward party leaders Prashantbab Naik and Mohandasbab Lolienkar. Sounds interesting, isn't it?
‘Shri Krishna Vijai Utsav' says it all
PWD Minister Sudinbab Dhavalikar must be certainly pleased with TCP Minister Vijaibab Sardesai, with whom he had a tiff recently over the sewerage works in Fatorda constituency. For, unlike the narakasur competitions held across the State, the TCP minister makes it a point to name his competition as "Shri Krishna Vijai Utsav". Major objection for the narakasur competitions from right wing organisation was that they glorify the demon, a line perfectly toed by Sudhinbab over the years. In the past, Vijaibab had come under strong attack from these right wing organisations even questioning his Hindu credentials. Apart from Sudinbab, even these right wing organisations may be pleased with the TCP Minister, more so as he is now part of a government led by the saffron brigade. Any questions?
The cut out with photos of Luizinho-Churchill duo erected at the entrance to the Navelim grounds on Sunday.
Bonhomie between kumpars
It was a Sunday when Varca strongman Bab Churchill was invited as the Chief Guest for the 36th Gold Silver Rolling Trophy organised by Navelim Sporting Club in memory of late Joaquim Faleiro, father of Navelim MLA Luizinhbab Faleiro at the Navelim grounds. Churchillbab presiding as a Chief Guest at a soccer final is no news, one may say, given Churchillbab's passion for football and the number of football tournaments sponsored by him over the years. Many a Navelkar or for that matter soccer fan must have been taken aback after they came across a huge cut out at the Navelim ground with photos of the Kumpars. Perhaps, this is the first time that Churchillbab was invited for the finals of Gold Silver rolling trophy tournament sponsored by the Navelim MLA. The bonhomie between the kumpars continues after the duo buried their political hatchet in the run up to the Assembly election.
