the goan I network
CORTALIM
The banners displayed Borkar as an ‘Alliance Candidate’, while to his right was the photo of Babush Monserette which mentioned President of UG
Party and MLA of St Cruz constituency.
In fact on Wednesday, Borkar had told The Goan that he was the alliance candidate of UG Party for Cortalim constituency.
“I was told by Babush that I am the alliance candidate for Cortalim constituency. He however did not tell me any other details including that of seat-sharing in other constituencies,” Borkar said.
However on Thursday, Borkar maintained a different line. “The reason of removing the banners was because Babush is not going to be the president of UG Party, which is going to be headed by one Tony Rodrigues. So to avoid any confusion at the time of registering the party, I was told to remove the banners,” Borkar told The Goan.
Asked if he was guaranteed the party ticket for Cortalim, Borkar said he was promised the ticket, but hastened to add that other options including contesting as an independent candidate were open to him.
In fact, the display of banners had caused ripples in the Congress and NCP camps, which felt that the rumours of alliance between the UG Party, NCP, Goa Forward and Congress was struck.
While Congress was hopeful for Cortalim constituency, Sancoale ZP member Mariano Rodrigues told The Goan that he had assurance from the Congress high command that nothing has worked out, NCP candidate Nelly Rodrigues however made no bones of her intention to contest the polls.
“If there is an alliance and if the Cortalim seat is allotted to party other than the NCP, I am most likely to contest as an independent candidate. After all, I have sympathy in the constituency since I have been carrying on my works single-handedly in the constituency even after my defeat in the 2012 Assembly elections,” said Nelly, confident that any alignment will not unnerve her at the hustings.
