www.oherald.com dated May 28, 2002 TUESDAY TUNES
Tough poll talking IT'S THAT TIME in an election campaign when things are getting heated up in the political arena. A time when political stalwarts have no qualms about taking digs at each other. Two such veteran stalwarts of Goan politics are - Speaker, Pratapsing Raoji Rane, and his long-time rival Dr Wilfred de Souza - and both have no love lost for each other. Recently, at the 'open forum' organised by the Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ), Dr de Souza snatched at an opportunity to take a dig at the Sultan of Poriem. The issue being discussed was defections and the Congress representative there had just finished suggesting possible changes in the law to ban defections. Dr de Souza, however, was quick to state: "The law is perfect. Only, the Speaker must act as required under the law and decide the disqualification cases filed before him. But, what happened in Goa? The Speaker kept the petitions in his drawers only because he wanted the government of a particular party to survive? Now the Congress is making the same Speaker head its campaign. This is shameful." Only, Rane was not present and therefore unable to defend himself, a task that his colleague, Shantaram Naik, hardly fulfilled. On another occasion, while addressing a press conference, one journo provoked the good doctor from Saligao into taking a dig at the Sultan of Poriem. And, a dig, the doctor did take. One journo, pointed out that historically, politicians in Goa facing elections as Speakers, have always lost. Barring, of course, one or two exceptions. The hint was enough, and Dr de Souza, known for his unfailing memory, rattled out details of election after election, when Speakers were defeated at the hustings. "Tomazinho Cardozo in 1999, Shaikh Hassan Haroon in 1994, Dayanand Narvekar in 1989, Froilano Machado in 1984........" Dr de Souza went on in reverse order. And hey, not to forget the punch-line: "What will happen in 2002? Will Pratapsing Rane survive?" the dotor added. Reminds us of that traditional Willy-Babu rivalry. Both had a good laugh in 1984, right? Filipe gets fillip FILIPE NERI SCORED a victory of sorts over his rivals with the Returning Officer, Sanjit Rodrigues granting him permission to screen his documentary film on cable TV and also at the corner meetings. He was cautioned not to distort the documentary during screening, which is to be done after obtaining necessary permision under the Cinematograph Act or the Cable Act. Paani politics MARGAO MUNICIPAL COUNCILLOR, Sadanand Naik, contesting on the NCP ticket in Fatorda, had earned immense goodwill for supplying water through tankers whenever the Selaulim pipeline broke down. Recently, when water supply was disrupted following a major leakage in the pipeline, Sadanand again rose to the occassion by deploying three water tankers in Fatorda constituency. Will the people remember his generosity at the time of casting the ballots?. David v/s Goliath? CONGRESS LEADER LUIZINHO Faleiro was apparently hurt and angry when his posters and banners were allegedly torn by a person from Orlim. He managed to get the person arrested after lodging a complaint with the collector. Poor John Raikar, Luizinho's rival. Must be wondering what's going on in Navelim. Because, he had to contend with strong opposition and threats from a brother of a Congress heavyweight when he planned to open his election office in Varca. Even the owner of the premises was forced to return the money back to John for letting the place. Flags and poles THE BJP HAS the distinction of using the maximum number of electricity poles for displaying party flags in Salcete. Except in Velim, party flags were seen flying on electric poles at many places. The electricty department apparentely looked the other way. But, the Returning Officers for Salcete took upon themselves the task to remove the propaganda material from these power poles. An holocaust? WHAT'S THE SIGNIFICANCE of timing in politics? Check this out. The NCP symbol - Clock - that shows a timing of 10.10 (am or pm?) signifies, according to one school of thought, the time when the 'atom bomb' was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. That's not all. The Congress candidate from Taleigao, Somnath Zuwarkar, addressed a press conference on Monday. It was originally slated for 10 am, and word was that the Taleigao turk, would drop a 'bomb'. Indeed, a 'bomb' Zuwarkar did drop at the press conference, in the form of an inquiry report submitted by the Director of Co-operation, Government of India, that exonerated him in the alleged Goa State Co-operative Bank Ltd's, one-time settlement scandal. Only, instead of 10 am, he began the press conference dot at 10.10 am! So, will it really turn out to be a holocaust in Taleigao?!?! Rane and CM SPEAKER PRATAPSING RANE was just trying to put the record straight when after the release of the Congress manifesto, he stood up and told journalists that he was very much in the race for chief ministership. The story goes that a reporter from the vernacular press twisted facts and reported that Pratapsing Rane was no longer in the race for the top slot. Rane probably wanted to clear any misconceptions and that his desire to lead the party was as strong as his spirit to win his seat. No sooner the press-conference for release of the Congress manifesto ended, Rane, to everyone's surprise including that of some of his colleagues, said: "I clarify that some newspaper has `wrongly' reported that I am not in the race for the chief minister's post. I am very much in the race." When someone pointed out that he can do so only after he wins the election, he shot back: "Yes, yes. Only after I win." Forget polls, lets talk CM CONGRESS HEAVYWEIGHTS ARE at it again. The electorate has not even made their choice, but computations and permutations are being worked out by eligible chief-ministerial candidates in the party. A voracious Congress politician from Bardez, who has only one life-time aspiration left to be fulfilled - to be Goa's CM - is keeping contacts with like-minded colleagues around the State. Taking his victory for granted, this avaricious politician calls up his likely "friends" to work up a deal to favour his candidature for the top post. He even has a plan to contest Pratapsing Rane's claim for the post, who he says was mainly responsible for the BJP's 16-month rule, by dragging his feet on the disqualification petitions. As things are developing, looks like we are in for another interesting intra-party bout of muscle-flexing. Angels, Cidade de Goa, Marriots are all closely watching. Fight for CM you guys, but we want to host your bout, the executives of these resorts seem to be saying. Ram-Laxman stuff? THE BJP IS all set, or so it claims, to weed out corruption from this tiny State by forming a Ram and Laxman duo out of its two stalwarts - Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar and former Union Minister of State for Shipping, Shripad Naik. Wonder if this revelation, made by none other than Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Pramod Mahajan, is mere election rethoric or something in store for the 'scamsters', 'scroundrels' and 'rogues'. If it's the former, then let's laugh it off. But, if it's the latter, then the veteran politicians who are unable to explain their bungalows, apartments, limousines and industrial units, 'be alert' is the message from the saffron brigade. 'Moolah' flows ELECTION TIME IS party time. Time to have fun all over. Around 70-90 youngsters, all in the age group of 16-17, are reportedly earning some Rs 200-400 per day. It's one period of time when the fuel tanks of their bikes are overflowing, and, lunch and dinner with unlimited beer is there for the asking. All this only for their presence at a campaing office, errect party flags on their bikes, and an additional Rs 200 for a two-wheeler and Rs 400 for a four-wheeler as 'hire charges'. Tailpiece Democracy is wholesome as a whole. Hungry? Try Taleigao, there 'chicken soup' for the soul =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
