Goa Diary

And the state8217;s babudom know who is paying the piper when they dance to the tune of their BJP bosses in Delhi. For one, bureaucrats who were considered close to Congress leaders were shunted out in dreadful hurry.

One such person had to take a passenger train to Delhi as she was not given enough time to await the twice-a-week Rajdhani Express passing via Goa.

Appeals by the Governor to delay relieving the woman from the post was turned down by the bureaucratic bosses. Small wonder then that the Congress is howling about proxy BJP rule in Goa.

Shiv Sena8217;s bluff

It may not quite have the clout to win many seats in the forthcoming assembly elections to the Goa Assembly, but one cannot accuse theShiv Sena in the state of not trying. The party leadership in the state is hoping for some legitimacy by angling an electoral tie-up with the BJP. The Sena which has some support in various pockets of the state is also raising the bogey of Kashmiri terrorists settling in Goa. Some fireworks may be expected if Sena supremo Bal Thackeray agrees to campaign for his Goa unit.

Biker8217;s plight

Rather than rent taxis at outrageous prices, tourists to Goa rent scooters and motorcycles by the day from local entrepreneurs for sightseeing. With hordes of unemployed youths taking to renting bikes at Rs 150 per day for a living, the vultures from the road transport offices have moved in for the kill.

Last week, the authorities in the department decided to implement an old law under which renting out vehicles meant for private transport is illegal. Now the business cannot be eradicated but a lot of Government officials are out to make money.

Tail Piece

According to reports in the local press, a newbrandy has been launched in Goa. Its name: Sonia Brandy! The mugshot on the label thankfully does not resemble a certain Delhi-resident.