Will Luizinho take up
additional responsibility?
With Rahul Gandhi officially taking over the reigns of the Congress party, supporters of Navelim MLA Luizinhbab Faleiro are locked in a debate - whether Luizinhbab will take up an additional responsibility in the Congress at the State and national level. Upon his election in the 2017 Assembly election, after a gap of 10 years, Luizinhbab had been virtually content in confining himself in Navelim constituency, visiting the villages and addressing the grievances of the villagers. While a section of supporters are of the strong opinion that Luizinhbab will not take up any party responsibility at the State or national level, many others believe that the MLA may not be able to say no to the Gandhi family if called upon to take up any posting. For, Luizinhbab had in the past claimed that he could not say no to the Gandhi family when he was neither ready to take up the GPCC post nor contest from Navelim in the 2017 election. Any doubts?
Sardinha probable Cong candidate for LS
Who will be the Congress candidate for the South Goa Lok Sabha constituency in the 2019 Parliamentary elections, is a question doing the rounds in Saxtti's Congress circles. While Congress leaders may claim that there's no dearth of leaders in the party willing to throw their hat in the electoral ring, the party has for the moment shied away from projecting any leader for the job. The name of former MP Franciscobab Sardinha is doing the rounds in party circles as the probable Congress candidate for the election. But, there are others who are believed to be not averse in testing the political waters if given an opportunity. Sources in the know say Mahila Congress chief Pratimabhai Coutinho, a vocal opponent of the saffron dispensation, is amongst the Congress leaders, ready to throw her hat in the electoral ring. Wait and watch.
Vijai probing ‘private brigade'
It was a week when an anxious Vijaibab tried to find out which brigade had marched into Fatorda last week in search of Tipu Sultan's banners and flags. The TCP Minister was apparently worried how a private brigade can take up policing in Fatorda when he was instrumental in carving out a separate police station for Fatorda. Vijaibab is believed to have called up the in-charge of Fatorda police station, PI Navlesh Desai to seek a factual report on how a private brigade could enter his fiefdom. It is learnt that PI Navlesh briefed the TCP Minister, explaining that the police had told members of the brigade to lodge their complaint, promising to initiate action against Tipu Sultan's banner. It still remains a mystery how the brigade reached Pajifond, the home for the Muslim community in the very presence of the men-in-uniform. Sounds interesting, isn't it?
Wife of top power official still in saddle
The last time Power Minister Pandurangbab Madkaikar descended in Saxttidom, he assured the media to reshuffle the staff at the Aquem Power house, who has not been transferred out of Margao for years, including the wife of top power official, who has been working in the office for over three decades. Pandurangbab kept his word and in fact honoured his promise that he would effect transfer of staff housed in the Aquem Power house. However, the wife of the top Power official is still holed up in the Power house. Reason. While the department has issued the transfer order, the concerned Assistant engineer, has still not relieved the official's wife, with employees raising the question whether the power officials will implement Pandurangbab's transfer order in both letter and spirit. Wait and watch.
Saxttikars await CSC
Saxttikars have a question or two for Revenue Minister Rohanbab Khaunte - when will the government commission the long-delayed Citizens Service Centre (CSC) at the South Goa district Collectorate. The Revenue Minister had promised to commission the CSC soon after Diwali at the hands of Chief Minister Manoharbhai Parrikar. However, it's now more than two months since Rohanbab made the announcement, but nothing has been heard of the CSC till date. The media was told a month ago that Manoharbhai would inaugurate the CSC along with TCP Minister Vijaibab, besides Rohanbab, but the formal commissioning could not take place as it was suddenly realised that the Revenue Minister had gone out of station. Will the government now commission the CSC after the Assembly Session, before Christmas or in the New Year. Wait and watch.
