Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
The saffron brigade is in two minds whether to grant ticket to veterans Babu Kavlekar, Digambar Kamat or Narendra Sawaikar and hence has flaoted the idea of a women candidate just to control the infightings.
What this has done is it has given the Opposition an opportunity to make amends and take control in South Goa atleast.
They now sense there is no unity amongst BJP leaders in South Goa and its now time to come together and hit the nail.
Of Course, the Opposition Congress has a sitting Member of Parliament in South Goa in form of Francisco Sardinha but the Congress also knows, less spoken about him is better and hence they need to find a candidate, who will work for the people and understands their difficulties, their needs and address them.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
Kudos to Congress’ Goa desk incharge Manickrao Thakare for bringing tegther all the political parties in Goa, except Revolutionary Goans, and forging a deal just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, scheduled in April May.
The “unity” of the Opposition has come at a right time in Goa just when the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is in a spot of bother over the South Goa seat.
The Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Goa Forward form the I.N.D.I alliance in Goa.
The saffron brigade is in two minds whether to grant ticket to veterans Babu Kavlekar, Digambar Kamat or Narendra Sawaikar and hence has flaoted the idea of a women candidate just to control the infightings.
What this has done is it has given the Opposition an opportunity to make amends and take control in South Goa atleast.
They now sense there is no unity amongst BJP leaders in South Goa and its now time to come together and hit the nail.
Of Course, the Opposition Congress has a sitting Member of Parliament in South Goa in form of Francisco Sardinha but the Congress also knows, less spoken about him is better and hence they need to find a candidate, who will work for the people and understands their difficulties, their needs and address them.
Right now names of several candidates are floating with Sardinha, Capt Viriato Fernandes, former GPCC president Girish Chodankar, GPCC president Amit Patkar and Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao.
However, there has been no decision yet and if party sources are to be believed, as always, the decision would be made in Delhi.
For North Goa party seems clear on two names – Ramakant Khalap and Vijay Bhike.
The Opposition Unity….
Unlike the past when the Opposition parties in Goa have held meeting to display a united front but thereafter choosing their own way and making conyradictory statement, what Thakare’s meeting has done is it has brought Opposition together on a common platform called the Coordination committee, which was lacking in the past.
This unity should put the BJP in a spot of bother atleast in South Goa, which they felt would win easily given that the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party was on their side.
This has also signalled that BJP cannot take things lightly even in the North where they have a five-time sitting MP in Shripad Naik.
RGP “contest” could hurt
The only isssue is Manickrao Thakare has failed to bring along Revolutionary Goans in the alliance and this could hurt them badly.
You may agree or disagree but the Revolutionary Goans have a sizeable share amongst the Goan voters, who are dissappointed with both the Congress and the BJP and are looking for an option.
They also had 90k+ votes in the 2022 Assembly polls and that is no mean figure when you consider that 10 per cent of the votes polled, chose RGP.
AAP withdrawal a boost..
The Congress, the Aam Aadmi Party and the Goa Forward form the I.N.D.I alliance in Goa.
The AAP had named Capt Venzy Viegas as its candidate in South Goa before the pact between part and Congress was struck in new Delhi.
The AAP’s withdrawal of candidate will definitely bolster Congress’ hopes atleast in Salcete constituencies.
Will Oppn continue the momentum?
The deal has been struck in yesterdays meeting but the only question remains will it be consistent?
As seen in the past, there may be attempts to break the Opposition unity and derail their campaign.
Sources close to the alliance leaders say this will depend only if the Congress gives candidates which are acceptable to the Opposition.
“Otherwise, the same old story would be repeated.”
