the goan I network
MARGAO
As the two main contenders, the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, jostle for supremacy for the South Goa Lok Sabha constituency ahead of the April 23 poll, these MLAs, all satraps in their own right in their respective areas of influence, have come into focus as they have left those in the fray and their political parties confused over their choice of candidates in the ensuing election.
Love or hate them, but the main contenders cannot afford to ignore the four, including Goa Forward Party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai, MGP supremo Sudin Dhavalikar, NCP MLA Churchill Alemao and Independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar representing the Fatorda, Madkaim, Benaulim and Sanguem Assembly constituencies respectively.
That these MLAs represent two constituencies each in Salcete and the hinterland areas suggests that the main players will be eager and anxious to know their respective stands in the coming election.
Take note that apart from GFP chief, who has only made a token appearance with the BJP candidate given his status as the partner of the coalition government, these satraps seem to be playing their cards close to their chest.
Take the case of MGP supremo Sudin Dhavalikar, whose stranglehold over Madkaim assembly segment is well-known. In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, sitting BJP MP Narendra Sawaikar led over the Congress by a margin of 11000-odd votes in Madkaim.
Post-split in the MGP, the BJP will certainly be anxious to wait for the Dhavalikar brothers to unveil their plan of action by April 14. On the other hand, the Congress will be looking forward to the MGP, hoping that the regional party will extend support to its party candidate.
When The Goan contacted Sudin Dhavalikar to shed light on MGP’s support to the contesting candidate in his constituency, he only said wait till April 14 to know the party’s stand. “We have not taken any stand till date. Our party is meeting on April 14 and we will take a final call on the coming elections,” Sudin said.
GFP chief and Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai, who is part of the NDA headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has expressed his support to the BJP candidate Narendra Sawaikar.
Sardesai even accompanied Sawaikar to the office of the Returning Officer at the time of filing of nomination papers. Sources, however, said the GFP chief has not issued clear directions to his workers in Fatorda how to go about the coming election.
“I am part of the NDA alliance and I will follow the coalition dharma,” Sardesai said, without answering the moot question whether he would ask his workers in Fatorda to vote for the BJP candidate.
NCP Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao, who had made a comeback in Benaulim in the 2017 Assembly poll after a miserable show in 2014 Lok Sabha poll, is keeping the candidates and the political parties guessing. Churchill has been on record saying that he cannot extend support to any of the candidates without instructions from the party leadership.
When contacted, Churchill told The Goan that in the given scenario, he has been left with no option but to maintain a neutral stand in the coming election. “My NCP bosses have not told me to support the Congress or other candidates in the fray. In such a scenario, I cannot tell my supporters to work for a particular candidate,” he said, while virtually saying his supporters are free to support the candidate of their choice.
When The Goan contacted Sanguem Independent MLA Prasad Gaonkar to shed light on his support to the contesting candidates, he only said a decision will be taken only after a meeting with his supporters. “I am part of the coalition government, but before taking any decision of backing any candidate, our supporters will meet and take a call,” Prasad said, making clear that he is yet to throw his weight behind any of the main candidates.
