the goan I network
MAPUSA
To its advantage, AAP managed to field candidates in all the seven constituencies, whereas an established Congress managed to field candidates in only five and that too, with much difficulty.
In Porvorim, Congress supported Independent MLA, Rohan Khaunte and failed to field any candidate in Siolim.
Considering that AAP has managed to create an appeal among the minority community in at least four constituencies (Aldona, Calangute, Saligao and Mapusa) which has a sizeable number of Catholic voters, Congress candidates could come a cropper in these constituencies.
AAP has managed to strike a chord with a sizeable number of voters among the minorities in Aldona. In such circumstances, Congress could find it difficult, if not impossible, to put it across its nearest rival. Secondly, Congress had declared its candidate late giving very little time for its candidate,
Amarnath Panjikar to visit people in the constituency. Comparatively AAP had got a head start to its campaign and its candidate, Ursula D’Souza, had finished her second round in her door-to-door campaign when Panjikar has just started his first.
However, within short time Panjikar managed to put a spirited campaign and win over many of the minority voters back to him.
“AAP had created a buzz in the beginning since it started early. But I managed to reverse much of their gains and bring the minorities
within the Congress fold,” Panjikar said.
A similar situation is facing Congress in Calangute which is expected to see a close contest between Congress’ Joseph Sequeira and Michael Lobo of BJP.
In a tight contest such as this, AAP candidate’s performance could tilt the balance and could be the deciding factor between a win and loss.
Sequeira’s stronghold is Calangute Panchayat, a Catholic dominated area, and that’s where AAP’s role is crucial.
“I don’t think AAP will create in impression in Calangute, leave alone on my prospects,” a circumspect Sequeira told The Goan.
In Mapusa, the story is no different where AAP appears to be poaching on Congress’ vote bank and making inroads among the minority voters.
With its unique style of campaign, AAP managed to reach out to maximum people in Mapusa, particularly among the minority homes.
“AAP canvassing has been a systematic and well-planned campaign. They spent at least 15 minutes in every Catholic home during their campaign,” a member of BJP group in Mapusa said.
Congress’ Vijay Bhike put all his efforts to win over the electorate in short span of time.
In Saligao, Congress parachuted its general secretary, Agnel Fernandes as its candidate at the last minute which ruffled feathers within the Congress block in the constituency.
Besides the paucity of time, the buzz created by the Goa Forward’s Jayesh Salgaonkar removed much of Congress’ fizz in Saligao.
AAP’s Dattaram Padgaonkar has done considerable work in the constituency but the sheer popularity of his rivals dwarfs his campaign in Saligao.
In Tivim, AAP’s Pradeep Amonkar is not expected to make much dent but if he does, it will be at the expense of Congress candidate, Nilkant Halarnkar.
Similarly, AAP’s presence could decide the prospects of the candidates in Porvorim and Siolim.
