ZP poll ticket tussles lay bare Congress divisions

File photo of Congress leaders in a huddle over the selection of party candidates for the upcoming Zilla Panchayat polls.

MARGAO
As the dust kicked up over the selection of candidates for the December 20 South Goa Zilla Panchayat elections finally begins to settle, the Congress camp in Salcete is grappling with a host of contentious questions: Who has gained influence, and who has failed to secure tickets for their preferred candidates in the nine seats up for grabs in the minority-dominated taluka? Did members of the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) have their way in the selection process, or did the party organisation stand its ground to ensure that its nominees were chosen?
Congress insiders pointed out that the delay in announcing candidates for certain seats in Salcete was primarily due to an intense tug-of-war between the organisation and party leaders.
A virtual realignment of forces within the party had become evident, with members of the CLP led by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao on one side and the organisation headed by GPCC chief Amit Patkar on the other.
Sources said that both sides were also divided over whether to forge alliances with regional parties—the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and the Revolutionary Goans Party (RGP). While CLP members strongly favoured an alliance with the RGP, the organisation opposed the idea and instead pushed for an alliance with the GFP.
Yuri secures Guirdolim, faces resistance elsewhere
As things stand in Salcete, Yuri appears to have succeeded in securing the candidacy for the Guirdolim seat, which falls under his Cuncolim Assembly constituency. However, he reportedly faced stiff resistance from the organisation when it came to finalising candidates for Colva, Nuvem, and Benaulim.
Sources revealed that Yuri had backed former ZP chairperson and four-time ZP member Nelly Rodrigues for the Colva seat. The organisation, however, strongly opposed the proposal and ultimately selected Venicia Carvalho. A similar situation unfolded in Nuvem, where Yuri had toyed with the idea of fielding ex-footballer Luis Barretto, but the organisation under GPCC chief Amit Patkar rejected the idea. The party has instead finalised Antonio Braganza as its nominee. Luis Barretto has since been fielded by the Aam Aadmi Party for Nuvem.
In Velim, South Goa district chief Savio D’Silva appears to have succeeded in securing renomination for sitting ZP member Julio Fernandes. This, too, came after deliberation, as a counter-proposal had been floated to field a fresh face since the Velim seat is categorised as general.
Tense talks over Davorlim, Navelim
Sources within the Congress said that the Leader of the Opposition had his way in the Davorlim and Navelim ZP seats, the two seats suggested by Congress leader Cipru Cardozo—but not without some resistance.
According to party insiders, the organisation was initially willing to concede only the Navelim seat to Cipru, since he is the sitting ZP member.
For Davorlim, the organisation was considering Vallabh Varak, even as Cipru pushed for Aquem-Baixo sarpanch Danny Fernandes. As the standoff continued, Cipru is believed to have told the leadership that the party should grant him both Davorlim and Navelim or neither. It was only after Yuri insisted that Danny should receive the Davorlim ticket that the party finally relented before announcing the candidates.
Raia conceded to Goa Forward
Perhaps for the first time, the Congress hand symbol will not find mention on the ballot paper in the upcoming Zilla Panchayat election. The Congress has conceded the Raia ZP seat to the regional party, the Goa Forward Party.
Sources in the know informed that the Congress was unwilling to concede Raia to the alliance partner, with some members even accusing the regional party of expanding into Congress territory.
In fact, a counter-proposal was mooted to the regional party that the Congress was ready to accommodate the GFP candidate on the Congress banner, but in vain. With the Goa Forward Party not ready to compromise on Raia, saying the party is seeking only one out of the nine seats in Salcete, the Congress finally yielded to the request, giving Raia to the regional party.