NIVRUTTI SHIRODKAR
PERNEM
The Congress Party’s decision to finally give the party ticket to GPCC Vice President Babi Bagkar for the Mandrem by-poll, after ruling out ticket aspirants, former union minister Ramakant Khalap and Sachin Parab, has split the Congress voter base in Mandrem constituency.
Bagkar, a builder from Morjim who had been working since the last 17 years to strengthen the Congress party in Mandrem and Pernem constituency, was preferred over Khalap and Parab in a keenly fought battle for the party ticket.
Many people from Morjin rejoiced on hearing news that Bagkar had been given the party ticket, but there was disappointment among supporters of Khalap and Sachin Parab, the son of former minister Sangeeta Parab.
While Bagkar was jubilant after being given the party ticket, he was aware of the need to win over Khalap, Parab and their respective supporters in his bid to defeat BJP candidate Dayanand Sopte.
Khalap and Parab each have a large number of supporters and Bagkar’s first challenge would be to ensure that they fully back his candidature in the by-poll.
“I will personally go to residences of Ramakant Khalap and Sachin Parab and seek their blessings for the victory of our party,” admitted Bagkar, while speaking to The Goan.
Khalap had initially been the frontrunner for the party ticket but both Bagkar and Parab had strongly opposed the party ticket for Kahalap, when they had gone to the party state headquarters in Panaji.
Reacting to the party’s decision to give the ticket to Bagkar for the Mandrem by-poll, Khalap congratulated Bagkar but said he had not yet decided on whether or not to campaign for Bagkar.
“What Bagkar did at the Congress office had pained me. I will be with party but I am disappointed as I could not get the party ticket,” said Khalap.
Sachin Parab was also disappointed as he could not get the party ticket.
“I was sure of getting the party ticket and am dejected as I was not the party’s candidate for the Mandrem by-poll. I will declare my position on Wednesday,” replied Parab, when asked if he would support and campaign for Bagkar.
Meanwhile, Bagkar’s opponents, Dayanand Sopte (BJP) and Jeet Arolkar (Independent) have already begun their campaign in full swing, giving them a headstart.
Bagkar lost precious time after being given the party ticket only on Tuesday, with only three weeks left for the polls and it is left to be how Bagkar manages to contact voters across the constituency.
