CHURCHILL ALEMAO & VIJAY SARDESAI ARE TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN.

By Nisser Dias.
13th Oct 2011.

Churchill Alemao and Vijay Sardessai are two sides of the same coin.

The recent mud-slinging match or rather washing dirty linen in public by the PWD minister Churchill Alemao and his bête noire and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary and Fatorda candidate in waiting Vijay Sardessai brings to the fore the dark side of politics. Especially when these two personalities go back a long way, but today they are spitting venom against each other as both of them are trying to sabotage each other’s interests. As of today Vijay Sardessai has won a round against the Varca strong man by getting Pratima Coutinho elected as the president of Youth Congress in Goa and for that he might have pay heavily at the 2012 assembly election.

But knowing how shrewd and cunning Vijay is, he is not likely to allow Churchill to have the floor all to himself as the Fatorda candidate-in-waiting knows the fine nuances of his mentor’s working, functioning and machinations which makes it easier for him to plan the counter move. Ironically he has been talking about Churchill’s money and muscle power. Has Vijay not resorted to such tactics. How has Vijay been permitted to construct his residential house, plum, in the middle of the agricultural land? If one digs into the past and present of Vijay’s life, lot’s of skeletons are likely to tumble from his closet and that too without being elected. One can simply wonder how far his tentacles will reach if elected.

But, Vijay Sardessai cannot deny that he climbed the social and political ladder using the Alemao brothers. Not only that, Vijay whose credibility in the eyes of the general masses is abysmal, was under Churchill’s protection from his college days. Infact I would define Churchill Alemao and Vijay Sardessai as two sides of the same coin. And can we forget that they even have a common friend who is allegedly well connected in the Bombay underworld and who was also in the thick of the gold smuggling case involving the Alemao family. Of course in the initial days of the rift between the veteran and novice politicians this common friend tried to act as the mediator but it could not be fructified as there were already differences in business deals between Churchill and Vijay which could not be resolved as Churchill wanted the lion’s share as usual.

It was really interesting to note Vijay Sardessai making the disclosure that Churchill Alemao had received ‘supari’ from the BJP at the last assembly hustings to defeat congress candidates in the Salcete so as to ensure BJP comes to power. Who else would know such details if not for the former co-opted councilor of Margao Municipal Council. But what I would like to know is, did Vijay Sardessai bring it to the notice of his party then that Churchill was under the BJP’s influence, if so why did he not make a statement in the press then as the general secretary of the party. This indicates that Vijay who has so far faced only defeats at elections is equally guilty. And Churchill himself has made it amply clear yesterday when he said that Vijay has been with him for the last 18 years.

This is not the only time that the GPCC secretary has worked against the Congress. Can we forget Vijay Sardessai’s role in Babush Monserrate ditching Congress at the eleventh hour during the last assembly election and getting elected on UGDP ticket? Even though as a general secretary of the Congress he was privy to intra party discussion he was also seen in company of Babush. Then, was Vijay not in the know how when Churchill Alemao tried to the topple the Digambar Kamat as chief minister within three months of forming the government? He had easy access to the GPCC deliberations to save the government as well as he had free access to the detractors or rather coup members who had holed up in star hotels. During the run-up to the last assembly elections Vijay Sardessai was asked by the media whether he would support other Congress candidate in Fatorda constituency if he was not allotted the party ticket to contest the election, he had categorically said that he would contest the polls irrespective of the ticket. Thus Vijay Sardessai is equally a traitor and a turncoat like Churchill Alemao and lot other Congress men.

Vijay’s recent grouse against his mentor turned enemy is that Churchill attended the finals of a football match organized by his rivals thereby giving them the moral boost to file their nominations at the upcoming assembly elections from Fatorda constituency which would lead to division of votes due to which Sardessai feels that Congress candidate or rather he will not win the seat. Of course it is said that politics should be kept away from sports. If Churchill wants to plot against his bête noire and field candidate he has the potential to do it without being seen, just because he puts a public appearance and shares the dais with some other politicians cannot be taken as he is working against the interest of the Congress.

If that is the case why did Vijay Sardessai attend Edwin Barretto’s birthday bash, knowing very well that Churchill is desperately trying to corner Benaulim Congress ticket for his daughter Valanka and that Cavelossim sarpanch Edwin has also staked his claim for it. Both Churchill Alemao and Vijay Sardessai are trying to rub salt in other’s wounds to safeguard their political interest. They have absolutely no interest in the well being and development of Goa and Goans and thus such politicians should be ousted and not given an entry into politics. In politics it is said there are no permanent friends or enemies only marriage of convenience.

And now for a tailpiece – Churchill Alemao has said during the laying of foundation stone for multi crore project that he would retire from politics if he does get elected from Navelim. For Churchill politics is not only his bread and butter but jam also. Lest we forget that the constituents of Benaulim constituency had retired him from politics. He was given a reprieve by Congress party to contest south Goa MP election and he was defeated there too, but shamelessly he came back. What Churchill Alemao does in politics in the next five years will be for his pension fund.

Send your comments/reactions to nisserdias@gmail.com Or SMS 9422437029)
(Nisser Dias writes a regular column in GT every Thursday).
For Goa News Log on to WWW.nizgoenkar.net

UGC 36TH SOCCER TOURNEY IN KUWAIT.

UNITED GOANS CENTER 36th TOURNEY KICKS OFF WITH 19 PARTICIPATING TEAMS.

Goa Maroons, Curtorcares United, Skynet and DHL emerged victorious in Week 1:

The 36th edition began with four games played on October 7th at Shuwaikh MOH grounds. A one minute silence was observed at the beginning of all the games for the sad demise of the father of AVC player Molvito Mascarenhas.

In the first match Goa Maroons took on Santos Football Club, Goa Maroons took advantage of a defensive lapse from Santos keeper and No. 17 Steven Rodrigues made no mistake in scoring. Goa Maroons then began to gain more control in the midfield over Santos and began dominating proceedings. Steven Rodrigues scored in twenty minutes of the game from a fine cross to double the lead. In the second half, Goa Maroons picked up where they left off from and Steven finished with four goals in the game. Santos defense were not able to stop him. Goa Maroons was not done yet, Kennedy scored from a spot kick and Patrick had a class finish to end the game at 6-0 in favor of Maroons. This was a fine display of football from Goa Maroons and they clearly outplayed their opponents. This match was refereed by Edward, Connie and Casmiro.

The second match began at 8:00, where FC Sparx took on Curtorcares United. FC Sparx started well taking advantage of a defensive lapse at the back and Rajesh Gopal was there to make a clean finish. But the experience of Curtocares began to show when they started to play good attacking football and creating a lot of goal scoring chances, but were denied by the FC Sparx keeper. Towards the end of the first half, Curtocares had a free kick and No.19 Jose Cardozo well placed shot gave the keeper no chance and the match was leveled during half-time. Curtocares started the second half looking for the win but the FC Sparx defense was not making it easy for them. No.6 Braz of Curtocares found the answer from a long range effort which the Sparx keeper failed to keep out. No. 27 Kevin of FC Sparx had a chance to level the game but the keeper made a fine save to deny the equalizer. The match ended in Curtocares favor and credit goes to them as they filled their team without some of their regular players. This match was refereed by Jerry, Arnold and Roshan.

In the third match, last year’s champions United Friends Clubs were beaten by Skynet by a goal margin. Both the teams started playing well in the first half but failed to apply the finishing touches in front of goal. Marcelin of Skynet hit the post, but Domnic of Skynet took his chance when UFC failed to mark him at the back. Remedio who played really well last year and was instrumental in the success of UFC winning the cup then, received two yellow cards in the first half and was deservedly sent off. Playing a man down was always going to be difficult for UFC, and they tried everything posible. Edward from Skynet had a good game marshaling his players from the mid and springing attack from the flanks. His skillful play created a lot of pressure for the UFC backs. They had a few good chances but they were unable to beat the keeper. Even in the dying minutes, UFC had a golden opportunity to equalize but they failed to do so. Skynet held on to their slender lead to progress to the next stage. The match officials for this game were Edward, Rosario and Connie.

In the last match DHL donning their favorite yellow jersey and Navelim in blue was a thrilling encounter. Both the teams started very strongly but it was DHL first shot on goal by Basheer hit the post and the rebound was collected by the keeper. No. 18 Anil Takuri drilled a ferocious shot as he was left unmarked by the Navelim defense to give DHL the lead in the first half. Navelim responded with a double subsitituion in the first half. DHL continued to play and created more chances among the two. The second half started with Navelim eager to find the equalizer and Cruzeido Rodrigues sharp header leveled the match. DHL then bought on a couple of substitutes who immediately made an impact. Terrance #4 took a cracking shot on goal to give DHL the lead 2-0. DHL scored another goal to make it 3-1 but it was ruled offside by the referee. Navelim created some chances but they failed to find target or trouble the keeper. DHL will face Curtocares in the next round and Goa Maroons will face Skynet Raiders. This match was refereed by Jerry, Victor and Romeo.

Next Fridays Fixtures OCT-14-20116:30 am: KGA Vs Indian Strikers8:00 am: DON BOSCO VS C.R.C9:30 am: YRC Rising Vs Real Betalbatim F.C11:00 am: AVC Vs Santos United.

Forwarded by UG.

THE ANSWER IS FRIGHTENING.

Bob Dylan’s song “Blowing in the wind” inspired me to write about Digambar Kamat and mining.

The Answer Is Frightening Indeed

How many times will Kamat turn his head,
pretend that he just doesn’t see ?
For how many more years will our rivers be silted,
before they overflow their banks?
How many more floods do we need to see,
Before Kamat realizes his folly ?

The answer my friend is frightening indeed,
the answer is frightening indeed.

How many more explosives do need to explode,
before our forests are destroyed ?
How many more years can our mountains sustain,
before they are reduced to mere rubble?
How many years will they continue their assault,
before whole of Goa is devoured ?

The answer my friend is frightening indeed,
the answer is frightening indeed.

How many more wells and springs should go dry,
Before we all die of thirst ?
How much more land should be made infertile,
Before hunger kills us all ?
And how many more deaths and disasters will it take,
to realise that it’s not just worth it ?

The answer my friend is frightening indeed,
the answer is frightening indeed.

For how much longer will Kamat play dumb,
and say that illegal mining doesn't exist?
How many more years will Kamat’s eyes be closed,
before he sees and accepts the truth ?
And how many more ears should Kamat have,
before he can hear our people cry ?

The answer my friend is frightening indeed,
the answer is frightening indeed.
The answer my friend is certainly blowing in the wind,
the answer is blowing in the wind.

Freddy Agnelo Fernandes.