GOAN POLITICAL ISSUES
Mesquita to go on hunger strike tomorrow BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, NOV 2 BJP candidate Dr Wilfred Mesquita has informed that he would go on a days hunger strike at the Lohia Maidan on November 4 to atone for the sins of the enemies of Mother Goa, who have supported the controversial Special Economic Zones. He has asked all the people to join the movement to save Goa. Mesquita had disclosed plans to go on a hunger strike on November 4 irrespective whether he succeeds in the bye-polls or not. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3757&cid=26 Digambar cabinet likely to witness a re-churn NT Staff Reporter Panaji, Nov 2 With the by-election to the Mormugao (South Goa) parliamentary constituency over, the Congress leadership would now have to do a balancing act by acting against those who worked against the party and also keep the partymen happy as well as strengthen the functioning of the government. The Congress leadership is quite irked at stance of Save Goa Front, a constituent of the government, as its leaders and workers worked against the Congress nominee in the by-poll. The Congressmen have demanded action against the SGF leader, Mr Churchill Alemao and demanded that he be dropped from the cabinet. According to the sources in the party, if the Congress nominee fares below par in the constituencies represented by SGF, the chorus for removal of the SGF leader from the government would only grow louder and the party would soon have to take a decision to please the Congressmen. The Congress sources further said that the party high command was aware of the anti-Congress work of Mr Alemao and his party men and that action against him could depend on the election results. They also went on to add that even if no immediate action is taken against Mr Alemao, it would follow at appropriate time. Though any threat to the Congress-led government headed by Mr Digambar Kamat has been ruled out at least for the moment in case of party nominee being defeated at the hustings, the party has geared up to face any eventuality. The Congress party has already drawn a contingency plan by withdrawing the case for disqualification against the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party MLAs, Mr Ramkrishna Dhavalikar and Mr Pandurang Dhavalikar, in case it has to take action against Mr Alemao and drop him from the cabinet. The sources in the party, however, said that no conditions have been put forward by the MGP MLAs. According to the Congress leaders, both the MGP legislators want their voting rights in the House restored for extending support to the government and the party leadership has acceded to their request. Mr Ramkrishna Dhavalikar, however, said that the case him and his brother was dropped because there was no substance in the case filed against them. He hastened to add that it was for the Speaker and the Supreme Court to decide on the matter. The sources also said that there could be a minor reshuffle in the ministry and one of the ministerial colleagues of the Chief Minister could be axed. The possibility of dropping one of the Alemao brothers has not been ruled out to accomodate one of the Dhavalikar brothers. According to the sources in the party, the Congress leadership would now have to focus on the issues raised by the partymen and take actions against those who worked against Mr Francisco Sardinha, the party nominee for the elections and president of Goa Pradesh Congress committee. Mr Sardinha has said that the SGF has worked against him. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=110315 S Goa LS by-election result today NT News Service Margao, Nov 2 It may be a question of a few hours, on Saturday morning, for Goans to know who will represent them to the Centre from Mormugao constituency. Fate of Mr Francisco Sardinha (Congress) and Dr Wilfred Mesquita (BJP), apart from two independent candidates will be known within couple of hours of counting, which will be taken up tomorrow morning. Counting of votes of the South Goa parliamentary by-election will begin at 8 a.m and the whole process is expected to end by 11 a.m. According to the assistant returning officer, Mr Venancio Furtado, counting will simultaneously begin in five halls three in Damodar College of Commerce and Economics and two in Kare College of Law. Both the national party candidates expressed confidence of winning the by-poll. The Congress candidate, Mr Francisco Sardinha said he will stick to his stand of winning with a margin of 15,000 odd votes. The BJP candidate, Dr Wilfred Mesquita was brimming with confidence and said that he would win by a margin of at least 10,000 votes. I will definitely obtain a lead of 4,000 votes in Vasco and Mormugao, Dr Mesquita emphasised and added that he would lead in at least 14 to 15 other constituencies. Meanwhile, the Election Commission of India has in a communiqué informed Goas Chief Electoral Officer that the lone vote cast in Kundaim be taken up, only if the difference of victory is by one vote. There was much debate on the secrecy of the Kundiam voters choice being known if the lone vote was taken up for counting. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=110311 Central team to study ways to improve agriculture in state NT Staff Reporter Panaji, Nov 2 The Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar has deputed a high-level four member team of his ministry led by Mr S M Jharwal, principal advisor in the agriculture ministry, for studying the measures to be taken for improving agriculture in Goa. The team of the central agriculture ministry on its arrival in the state today held meeting with the officials of animal husbandry, fisheries and agriculture departments. Besides, it also attended a presentation on the agriculture scenario in the state. The team also held a meeting with the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat. The team would visit hinterland areas tomorrow and review various projects related to agriculture and animal husbandry. The team after concluding its study here would present a report to the Union Agriculture Minister on its return to the national capital. It may be recalled that Mr Kamat had urged Mr Pawar, during his visit a few months ago, to help the state in increasing agricultural production in the state and that the Union Agriculture Minister had promised to oblige him Mr Pawar had also said that he would pay personal attention in helping the state in improving agricultural production and provide all central assistance. He has also promised to visit the state with senior officials of his ministry after the report was presented to him. http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11037 Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com