NEWS UPDATES
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo says ongoing delimitation could make elections difficult during the process, while stressing that the government must follow the High Court’s orders. He suggested combining delimitation with a caste-wise survey across Goa or India.  •  Mapusa Additional Sessions Court rejects Tarun Tejpal’s plea seeking more time to surrender. Consequently, Tejpal has submitted that he will surrender before the Colvale Jail authorities on September 14, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s direction. Tejpal was convicted by the High Court of raping a junior colleague in 2013 and sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment.  •  The Mapusa Special PMLA Court has extended the judicial custody of alleged land-grab mastermind Siddique Khan, alias Suleman Khan, on an application moved by the Enforcement Directorate. The ED also disclosed that on September 9, 2026, it issued a provisional attachment order covering four prime properties with an aggregate fair market value of Rs 278.16 crore.  •  GPCC President Girish Chodankar met Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna and followed up on the proposal for allotment of suitable land at Velankanni for a Goa House. Chodankar also handed over the Christian Association of Goa’s detailed proposal for the project and said the facility would provide accommodation, basic amenities and assistance to Goans visiting the pilgrimage destination.  •  Anticipatory bail plea of Malcolm Pereira rejected in connection with the alleged assault of Chinchinim-Deussa Sarpanch Gerson Gomes.  •  Goa Forward Party President approves immediate dissolution of the Curchorem Block Committee; Dattaraj Raut Dessai relieved as Joint Secretary and removed from GFP’s primary membership with immediate effect.  •  GSIDC has proposed a new government complex at Mapusa Morod that will bring various government offices in Mapusa under one roof. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 110 crore, has been approved and will now be sent for financial approval: GSIDC Chairman Michael Lobo  •  Goa taxis are set to introduce a QR code-based fare information system after approval at the State Transport Authority meeting. Passengers will be able to scan the QR code to check applicable fares. MLA Michael Lobo said taxis will no longer use meters, while the notified fares will also apply to GoaMiles services.  •  CM Pramod Sawant says he shares a good personal relationship with all MLAs, including those from the Opposition, as every MLA represents the people and their respective constituency.  •  CM Pramod Sawant said he has no time to focus on opposition politics and has faith in his work and the people of Goa. He said voters will judge his government’s five-year performance and compare it with others before deciding whom to vote for. “I don’t care whether they are united or divided,” Sawant said. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo says ongoing delimitation could make elections difficult during the process, while stressing that the government must follow the High Court’s orders. He suggested combining delimitation with a caste-wise survey across Goa or India.  •  Mapusa Additional Sessions Court rejects Tarun Tejpal’s plea seeking more time to surrender. Consequently, Tejpal has submitted that he will surrender before the Colvale Jail authorities on September 14, in accordance with the Supreme Court’s direction. Tejpal was convicted by the High Court of raping a junior colleague in 2013 and sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment.  •  The Mapusa Special PMLA Court has extended the judicial custody of alleged land-grab mastermind Siddique Khan, alias Suleman Khan, on an application moved by the Enforcement Directorate. The ED also disclosed that on September 9, 2026, it issued a provisional attachment order covering four prime properties with an aggregate fair market value of Rs 278.16 crore.  •  GPCC President Girish Chodankar met Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna and followed up on the proposal for allotment of suitable land at Velankanni for a Goa House. Chodankar also handed over the Christian Association of Goa’s detailed proposal for the project and said the facility would provide accommodation, basic amenities and assistance to Goans visiting the pilgrimage destination.  •  Anticipatory bail plea of Malcolm Pereira rejected in connection with the alleged assault of Chinchinim-Deussa Sarpanch Gerson Gomes.  •  Goa Forward Party President approves immediate dissolution of the Curchorem Block Committee; Dattaraj Raut Dessai relieved as Joint Secretary and removed from GFP’s primary membership with immediate effect.  •  GSIDC has proposed a new government complex at Mapusa Morod that will bring various government offices in Mapusa under one roof. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 110 crore, has been approved and will now be sent for financial approval: GSIDC Chairman Michael Lobo  •  Goa taxis are set to introduce a QR code-based fare information system after approval at the State Transport Authority meeting. Passengers will be able to scan the QR code to check applicable fares. MLA Michael Lobo said taxis will no longer use meters, while the notified fares will also apply to GoaMiles services.  •  CM Pramod Sawant says he shares a good personal relationship with all MLAs, including those from the Opposition, as every MLA represents the people and their respective constituency.  •  CM Pramod Sawant said he has no time to focus on opposition politics and has faith in his work and the people of Goa. He said voters will judge his government’s five-year performance and compare it with others before deciding whom to vote for. “I don’t care whether they are united or divided,” Sawant said.
Episode 755 • 25th Aug 2026

Altone D’Costa | Quepem MLA | Head On | Prudent | 250826

25th Aug 2026

About this episode

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this interview are solely of the interviewee. The channel doesn't subscribe nor Endorse these views or beliefs. In today’s Head On, we speak to Quepem MLA, Altone D’Costa on Quepem politics, defections, relations with CM Dr Pramod Sawant. He also opens up on his alternate constituency if Quepem gets reserved under ST. #HeadOn #HeadOnPrudent #AltoneDCosta #CongressMLA #GoaLegislativeAssembly #GoaVidhanSabha #GoaMLA #QupemMLA #QuepemConstituency #GPCC #CMO #CMOGoa #DrPramodSawant #PramodSawant #BJPGoa #BhartiyaJanataParty #BJP #GoaPolitics #GoaNews #IndianPolitics #GoaPoliticalLeaders #GoaPoliticalTalks #GoaPoliticalUpdates #Opposition #PoliticalTalk #CurrentAffairs #IndiaNews #Opposition #AAPGoa #AamAadmiParty #IndianPolitics #PoliticalNews Timecodes 00:00 - ADVT 00:35 - Startup 00:48 - Introduction 01:23 - Altone's journey as MLA 04:29 - GPCC vs INC? 05:16 - Why Cong MLAs absent for protests? 06:10 - Change in leadership - Justified? 06:58 - Thoughts on Amit & Vijai's closeness 08:08 - GFP's suspension on alliance talks 09:40 - Will we see hat-trick of defections? 10:37 - Can voters trust Cong? 11:46 - Can Cong provide loyal candidates? 12:20 - Who are the defectors? 13:21 - Can Cong cross 21 seats without alliance? 15:31 – Is Cong ready to ally with AAP? 16:01 – AAP targeting Cong, RGP MLAs' constituency? 17:54 – AAP doesn't target BJP's constituency? 18:45 – AAP aspiring for victory at Velim & Benaulim back again? 19:42 - Break 20:30 – What if Altone's constituency gets ST reserved? 22:20 – Which constituency will Altone contest if not Quepem? 25:47 – Will AAP vacate Benaulim if alliance happen? 27:04 -Relations with CM 28:56 – BJP leaders not allowing Quepem's development? 30:51 – If Quepem gets ST reserved, does Cong have candidate? 32:54 – How much Altone rate CM's working style? 34:28 – Closing 34:47 – End Credits 34:52 – ADVT