Goa Blog

Even as fireworks lit the festive Goan skies, sparks flew thick and fast as corridors of power were abuzz with reports of impending moves on the political horizon. Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, one may say, had a smooth sailing in the monsoon session of the Goa assembly but actually there were  rumblings in the ruling coalition which, however, couldn’t snowball into a  revolt or coup.  Kamat effectively managed to douse the ‘fires’ in the coalition.

As disgruntled members of the coalition are once again gearing up to destabilise Kamat, counter moves are also being planned on Goa’s political chessboard. Reports of reinduction of Cumbarjua legislator Madkaikar are making the rounds in political circles. He was dropped from the ministry in February to make room for Madkai legislator Sudin Dhavlikar A month ago, Goa’s veteran politician Dayanand Narvekar was asked to put in his papers to make way for induction of unattached member from Taleigao Atanasio alias Babush Monserrate in view of impending revolt against the government.

If sources in the ruling coalition are to be believed, the former finance minister has been  active in the behind-the-scene activities. With the political acumen of Narvekar, the anti-Kamat camp has become strong. Members of this group are learnt to have held some discussions with  Public Works Department Minister Churchill Alemao and even Home Minister Ravi Naik. Madkaikar is strongly with this group, it is learnt. Analysts say that when Narvekar was asked by the high command to resign from the cabinet he hardly had any support among the legislators or ministers and unlike Madkaikar, the Aldona legislator had put in his papers.

But two to three weeks later, he emerged stronger. This was seen from Narvekar’s speech directed against the chief minister. And as if that was not enough, in the guise of his friends and supporters, a new organization – Democratic Front – was launched, in what is seen as quite a daring act.

Sources say his main objective is to get the chief minister changed. If Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane joins hands, it may not be difficult to achieve, they say. However, not many prefer Pratapsing Rane to Kamat, at least for now. There is also a talk of a special economic zone lobby trying to fuel anti-Kamat sentiments in the ruling coalition.
As a counter-move, there is a possibility that Madkaikar may be inducted. But the question is who will be the victim this time to lose his ministership. Meanwhile, the weather is going rough for Monserrate as the charge made by advocate Aires Rodrigues that the Taleigao legislator has lied in his affidavit filed before the last assembly election in May 2007, is gaining ground.

As reported earlier, Rodrigues has alleged that he has obtained a copy from a school in Mumbai from where the minister is said to have done his SSC,  but Rodrigues said the education minister  failed in Class VII. Taking advantage of this situation, some senior politicians are trying to use the issue against the chief minister with the demand that Monserrate should be at least relieved of the education portfolio. Monserrate, however has reportedly stated that he would give the proof at the “appropriate time”.

-Herald, Goa Daily