When the former Home and Finance Minister P Chidambaram said “There is no doubt about it. We won Goa election in 2007, we won Parliament election 2009. In 2012 we lost the Goa election, in 2014 we lost the Parliament election. This time we are determined to win Goa and then win India”, Congress in Goa turned a new corner. First time ever, the party acknowledged from the seniormost level that it was serious about Goa. And between him as Senior Election Observer, Dinesh Gundu Rao as AICC in-charge for Goa and Akhilesh Yadav, the IYC in-charge for Goa, Indian National Congress is taking no chances.

Since the time, Rao took over as AICC in-charge, he has been stressing on Congress going out all alone in Goa but conniving and conspiring local leaders put paid to his plans and pushed the party to the brink of pre-poll alliance. Enter – Yadav who not only mobilised the normally dull and drab Goa Pradesh Youth Congress and brought it out on the streets making it the most active youthful political outfit in the state. But it was the appointment of Chidambaram and his particular stress on organisational structure that has turned the Congress on its head in Goa.

The sight of Chidambaram, Rao and Yadav in remote constituencies addressing groups of 100-200 party workers as against thousands in their home state isn’t just visual. Suddenly the grassroots Congress worker feels special, enthused and connected much to the chagrin of local leadership.

Typical to Congress at the AICC level, GPCC did not care till the house was on fire. Result – there are two Aleixios as Working Presidents – former minister Alexio Sequeira and current Curtorim MLA Alexio Reginaldo. Both appeased and packed. Both gunning for President Girish Chodankar’s head who also gets to keep his job. But then all of them and Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat and South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha aren’t very happy to be schooled by AICC deputes.

For a change, the cadre is smiling and leaders sulking at INC in Goa. As High Command goes local, local command plays Chinese whispers to regain its turf.