AERIAL VIEW
But as the election came closer, TMC ran out of steam, realising they were not getting enough support from Goans despite splurging money on media houses, hoardings and political leaders.
This is the time when the exodus started in TMC. Leaders like Lavu Mamlatdar and Aleixo Reginald Lourenco disembarked from the TMC ship, alleging that the Bengal-based party was not serious.
The only serious local leaders in TMC left were Kiran Kandolkar and Churchill Alemao. Of Course, we need to mention that the MGP still continued tits tie-up with the TMC. Though there were eyebrows raised when
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
In a matter of just one week after the elections, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress party, which made a mountain of promises to the Goans as well as their “turncoat” leaders, started exhibiting its true colours.
The TMC, when it arrived around August-September, made its entry with a bang when former Congress MLA Luizinho Faleiro, along with his supporters Yatish Naik, Vijay Pai, and so also Lavu Mamlatdar, joined the party in a grand function at Panaji and Kolkata. It sent a message to Opposition parties that TMC was here to stay and was serious and, more importantly, a force to reckon with.
As the days passed, they continued their shopping spree by purchasing MLAs and leaders right, left and centre like Kiran Kandolkar, Aleixo Reginald, Churchill Alemao and many others.
But as the election came closer, TMC ran out of steam, realising they were not getting enough support from Goans despite splurging money on media houses, hoardings and political leaders.
This is the time when the exodus started in TMC. Leaders like Lavu Mamlatdar and Aleixo Reginald Lourenco disembarked from the TMC ship, alleging that the Bengal-based party was not serious.
The only serious local leaders in TMC left were Kiran Kandolkar and Churchill Alemao. Of Course, we need to mention that the MGP still continued tits tie-up with the TMC. Though there were eyebrows raised when Dhavalikars skipped the TMC manifesto release function.
As the elections are over and counting is around 20 days away, I-PAC has abandoned all the candidates, who now find themselves in no men’s land.
In its first move, they have removed Luizinho Faleiro from the national executive. Faleiro deserves this treatment as he was the one who brought the party to Goa for his greed for a “retirement package”.
This move could also be attributed to the souring of the TMC and the I-PAC relationship. National media has already reported that the two would part ways soon.
So here in Goa, what happens to the leaders. TMC did this in 2007 and again in 2014. After losing elections, it abandoned its supporters and this time again, it seems like history would repeat itself.
In this election, Kiran Kandolkar and Churchill Alemao are their best bet for TMC, but both are unlikely to win.
Kandolkar had announced he would resign as TMC State president only to take back his word, saying he would hold back his decision and update after meeting with all candidates.
It is clear that Kandolkar is upset with I-PAC and TMC but what is the use of the tantrums now when the elections are already over.
Even if he resigns and gets elected on March 10, Kandolkar remains TMC MLA and would have to resign again and contest on another party ticket to get re-elected.
TMC has shown its true colours, and the politicians who were attracted to teh party for the sheer love of money now feel isolated. God forbid if this party wins any seats and forms government, which is next to impossible, what would happen to its promises of 25 lakh credit cards, Rs 5000 Griha Aadhar scheme and what not?
It is clear that the TMC came to Goa only to cut Congress votes and was least interested in elections here otherwise.
For MGP, every Goan knows that whichever party forms the government will be part of it. In the end, only MGP would have the last laugh.
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