Day of reckoning is here for BJP, Congress

MARGAO
Can Congress stop the BJP juggernaut from retaining the South Goa Zilla Panchayat seat and return to power after a gap of five years?

On the eve of the Zilla Panchayat polls, both the Congress and the BJP have exuded confidence of winning the South Goa ZP seat. 

The ruling BJP is apparently banking on the traditional vote base to retain the South Goa seat. Having opened its account in Sancoale, with the party nominee winning the seat unopposed, the ruling party is on the job to consolidate its position in the hinterland areas of Quepem, Ponda, Sanguem and Quepem and ensure the party reaches the magic figure of 13 seats to retain the seat.

The BJP is contesting in only two of the eight seats at stake in Salcete taluka in Davorlim and Guirdolim where the ruling party is locked in a keen tussle with Congress candidates.

 On the other hand, Congress is facing an acid test to regain the South Goa Zilla Panchayat seat from the ruling BJP. The party is contesting in around 17 seats and has left the remaining eight seats to like-minded parties to checkmate the ruling party in the areas of Ponda taluka.

Unlike the past, however, Congress is facing a tough battle in its traditional stronghold, Salcete. Though the BJP may be in the fray only in two of the eight seats at stake, the Congress is facing a challenge of sorts from the Nationalist Congress Party and a group of independents to its supremacy in the minority stronghold.

Sources in the Congress say the party can hope to regain the South Goa ZP seat only if the party manages to win majority of the seats in Salcete.

Congress insiders admit that the party is going great in Curtorim and has improved its position in neighbouring Guirdolim with the father-son duo of Joaquim and Yuri Alemao taking over the campaign of party candidate Sonia Fernandes.

The Congress, however, appears facing a tough battle in the remaining six constituencies spread across Salcete. The Congress is locked in a fierce fight against the NCP and Aam Aadmi Party candidates in Benaulim and Colva. 

That’s not all. The Congress is locked in a close battle against a group of Independent candidates in Velim, Nuvem and Raia. Of these three seats, Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa has thrown his lot behind an independent candidate, while the remaining two independents, Anthony Rodrigues (Velim) and Domnick Gaunkar (Raia), are seasoned campaigners, having made it to the South Goa Zilla Panchayat in the past.

Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat and other Congress leaders were apparently hoping that the contentious issues of Mhadei, coal transportation and track doubling will keep the party candidates in good stead. “I am confident that the people of Goa will teach the BJP a lesson in tomorrow’s election,” Kamat said.

On the other hand, BJP General Secretary Damu Naik exuded confidence that the ruling party will retain the South Goa Zilla Panchayat seat without much a problem. “People of South Goa will by and large vote for the BJP. We are confident of retaining the South Goa seat,” Damu added.