MARGAO
The Congress leadership may suddenly realize that it will have to grapple with at least half a dozen political parties, besides local satraps, who are leaders in their own right, in minority Salcete, as the party will be anxious to maintain its stranglehold over its bastion if it hopes to return back to power in 2022.
Take note, the Congress and like-minded parties made a clean sweep in Salcete by winning all the eight seats at stake in 2017, which helped to take the party’s tally of seats to 17, bringing the party closer to form the government. Much water has flown down the river Sal and the principal opposition party may find a host of parties vying for the same vote in Salcete.
Mamata Didi’s Trinamool Congress isn’t the only player the Congress may have to face in Saxttidom in 2022. A host of political parties, including established players, seemed anxiously looking forward to garner a slice of the secular vote, if not outwit the principal opposition party in its stronghold.
Besides TMC, the Congress will have to contend with the presence of the Nationalist Congress party (NCP) and the Goa Forward party (GFP) in the fray, in the event the much-talked about alliance does not take shape. And, to mention the Aam Admi Party (AAP) which has made a significant presence across the minority heartland, and is bracing up to go all out in the ensuing polls.
Another outfit, which is expected to enter the electoral fray this time, is the Revolutionary Goans, which is anxious to make its mark in the minority heartland in the coming polls.
The regional outfit, United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP), which had lost its charm and base in the minority heartland for a decade now, is planning to field a couple of candidates in 2022.
That’s not all. Congress-turned-BJP MLAs, especially Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues (Velim) and Wilfred D’Sa (Nuvem) are expected to throw their hat in the fray on different party labels. And, not to mention Congress rebels who may throw their hat in the ring as Independents.
Political observers say the Congress has a task cut out, to either forge alliances with the like-minded parties or take them head on, on a strong anti-BJP plank in the minority heartland, by projecting the party as the only viable alternative to dislodge the BJP in 2022.
CHALLENGERS APLENTY IN CONG BASTION
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
In Benaulim, the Congress has not come clear whether the party will field Mickky Pacheco to take on Churchill Alemao or settle for an alliance with the NCP. If the Congress decides not to have truck with the NCP, observers say the Sharad Pawar-headed party may field candidates elsewhere in Salcete and outside.Even as suspense continues over the NCP-Congress Alliance, both the parties cannot afford to ignore the Aam Admi party (AAP) that has made huge inroads in Benaulim since the party had finished runners up in 2017.
Goa Forward Party (GFP)
Goa Forward party’s message to the Congress appears plain and simple, leave the Fatorda seat to party Chief Vijai Sardeai and the regional outfit will not disturb the Congress, at least in Salcete. Goa Forward’s offer for an alliance has so far not found favour with the Congress. Take note, the BJP has a huge presence in Fatorda and a triangular contest between the Goa forward and Congress, going in favour of the BJP is not ruled out.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
After its impressive performance in 2017, the Aam Admi party has spread its presence in Benaulim and across Salcete. In Benaulim, AAP seemed to have emerged as a challenger to the established players. The party is also going out systematically in Velim, where the party polled significant votes in 2017. And, not to mention Navelim, where one could feel AAP’s presence. The Party is set to further strengthen itself in the remaining five seats in the minority heartland.
Trinamool Congress (TMC)
The TMC seemed to have drawn up big plans in Goa in 2022. And, Salcete’s eight seats are certainly expected to come under the TMC radar. With Congress veteran Luizinho Faleiro embracing the party, the party is expected to go all out to ensure the party flag flies high in Faleiro’s fiefdom Navelim. Sources, however, said TMC isn’t going to restrict in Navelim, but is believed to have a plan in place to make its presence felt across Salcete.
Revolutionary Goans (RG)
Long before Mamata Didi’s TMC decided to set its eyes on Goa, the Revolutionary Goans had already made a big presence in Salcete countryside. Its POGO agenda and ideology centered on Goa had an instant appeal with the significant number of youngsters, including NRIs. RG volunteers have been active on the ground and are expected to make its presence felt in Salcete, including Margao and Fatorda in 2022.
United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP)
Once considered a force in the 90’s and early 2000, the UGDP has been relegated to be background and outwitted by new players in the minority heartland for over a decade now. UGDP president Dr Jorson Fernandes and party leader Adv Anacleto Viegas say the party will certainly contest from Cuncolim, the home constituency of the party president, besides a couple of other seats in 2022.
Cong-turned-BJP MLAs
Of the three Congress turncoats from Salcete,Minister Filipe, Velim MLA Neri Rodrigues and Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa are expected to go independent in the ensuing election. The duo may turn out Congress Party’s prime targets in the coming election, but political observers do not want to write them off politically, more so in a multi-cornered contest, when a host of players will be vying for a slice of the secular cake.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
BJP’s influence in minority Salcete is restricted to Margao and Fatorda, and to some extent Cuncolim, having won these three seats in the past. Post-delimitation of constituencies in 2012, the BJP may be certainly looking forward to cash in on a split in the secular vote. The party is a strong contender in Cuncolim and may test the political waters in Navelim with the emerging political developments. The ruling party has enjoys a sizeable vote in Curtorim too.
