NEWS UPDATES
Old Goa Police have arrested Crime Branch suspended Police Inspector Vikas Deykar and Ranjini Palyekar in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl at the Crime Branch office.  •  FRO Goa deported three Russian men on November 4 for overstaying their tourist visas. Two were convicted by a court, while one was lodged at a detention centre. Earlier, on November 2, a Kenyan woman was deported following her conviction in a forgery case.  •  Democrats have won control of both the US House of Representatives and Senate, breaking into traditionally Republican strongholds including Texas, South Carolina and Kansas. The victories are set to significantly constrain Donald Trump's political powers. Reacting to the results, Trump said he was “absolutely willing to accept those results” and would work with Democrats.  •  India is set to simplify visa application forms across all 22 categories, with the number of fields expected to be reduced by nearly 70%. The move will eliminate repetitive and redundant details, making applications more user-friendly and bringing India's visa process in line with global standards. The changes are likely to be implemented from next year.  •  The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Goa, has announced the rationalisation of polling stations under the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of Photo Electoral Rolls, with January 1, 2027, as the qualifying date. Five new polling booths have been created in North Goa, while one booth in South Goa has been merged with another. Following the exercise, Goa's total polling stations have increased from 1,731 to 1,735.  •  Maina Curtorim Police arrests tipper truck driver, Valentino Fernandes (48) for allegedly transporting illegally extracted river sand at Coriem, Curtorim; Police seized around 10 cubic metres of river sand worth Rs 25,000 and a tipper truck valued at Rs 20 lakh. The total seizure is estimated at Rs 20.25 lakh.  •  Porvorim Police have arrested 25-year-old Sumit Rajesh Ingole from Amravati, Maharashtra, in an alleged APK-based cyber fraud case in which a senior citizen was cheated of Rs 1.94 lakh; the victim was allegedly duped through a malicious APK file shared under the pretext of booking an online appointment at Goa Medical College. Further investigation is underway to identify other accused and trace the cyber fraud network.  •  Shocking overcrowding exposed in Mapusa; a bus travelling to Nepal was detained near Bodgeshwar Temple after 148 passengers were reportedly found crammed into a bus with a seating capacity of just 48; Passengers allegedly paid Rs 4,000 each, with 7–8 people sharing a single seat. Old Goa Police have arrested Crime Branch suspended Police Inspector Vikas Deykar and Ranjini Palyekar in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl at the Crime Branch office.  •  FRO Goa deported three Russian men on November 4 for overstaying their tourist visas. Two were convicted by a court, while one was lodged at a detention centre. Earlier, on November 2, a Kenyan woman was deported following her conviction in a forgery case.  •  Democrats have won control of both the US House of Representatives and Senate, breaking into traditionally Republican strongholds including Texas, South Carolina and Kansas. The victories are set to significantly constrain Donald Trump's political powers. Reacting to the results, Trump said he was “absolutely willing to accept those results” and would work with Democrats.  •  India is set to simplify visa application forms across all 22 categories, with the number of fields expected to be reduced by nearly 70%. The move will eliminate repetitive and redundant details, making applications more user-friendly and bringing India's visa process in line with global standards. The changes are likely to be implemented from next year.  •  The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Goa, has announced the rationalisation of polling stations under the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of Photo Electoral Rolls, with January 1, 2027, as the qualifying date. Five new polling booths have been created in North Goa, while one booth in South Goa has been merged with another. Following the exercise, Goa's total polling stations have increased from 1,731 to 1,735.  •  Maina Curtorim Police arrests tipper truck driver, Valentino Fernandes (48) for allegedly transporting illegally extracted river sand at Coriem, Curtorim; Police seized around 10 cubic metres of river sand worth Rs 25,000 and a tipper truck valued at Rs 20 lakh. The total seizure is estimated at Rs 20.25 lakh.  •  Porvorim Police have arrested 25-year-old Sumit Rajesh Ingole from Amravati, Maharashtra, in an alleged APK-based cyber fraud case in which a senior citizen was cheated of Rs 1.94 lakh; the victim was allegedly duped through a malicious APK file shared under the pretext of booking an online appointment at Goa Medical College. Further investigation is underway to identify other accused and trace the cyber fraud network.  •  Shocking overcrowding exposed in Mapusa; a bus travelling to Nepal was detained near Bodgeshwar Temple after 148 passengers were reportedly found crammed into a bus with a seating capacity of just 48; Passengers allegedly paid Rs 4,000 each, with 7–8 people sharing a single seat.
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