MARGAO
With just four days to go for the June 11 panchayat elections, the focus of attention in high-profile Benaulim panchayat is centered around two families “ the Ambrose Pereira family and the David Fernandes family “ as the husband-wife duo from these families are locked in a keen tussle in the four wards of V, VI, VII and VIII.
The Ambrose Pereira family, in particular, has come under attack from their political opponents, more so with members of the family continuously representing ward No VIII of the Benaulim panchayat since the year 1992. If Ambrose Pereira had won from the ward in 1992 and 1997, his daughter-in-law Delia had retained the fort in 2002 when the ward was reserved for women. Since 2007 till date, son Xavier had been representing the ward for two terms in the Benaulim panchayat.
Against this backdrop, and in the light of the reservation of ward No VIII for women, Xavier has fielded wife Delia in the ward and he is in the fray from the neighbouring ward No VII. While Xavier is locked in a triangular fight against Felix Savio Castello and activist Jose Rodrigues, wife Delia is facing a challenge from Antonieta Goes, Natividade Coutinho and Valentina Rodrigues in ward No VIII.
Savio Castello said that he is contesting the election for the simple reason to take up the issues facing the ward. A landlord, Castello said he has been closely working with the people of the ward since last many years. “I have received good response from the people. They all felt that a local person should represent them in the panchayat body,” Castello said.
Activist Jose Rodrigues, who had been closely working to save the village environment and ecology, said he has thrown his hat in the ring to act as a watchdog in the panchayat body.
Xavier, who has been the deputy sarpanch in the last five years, says he is unfazed by the propaganda unleashed by his opponents against him and his wife. “We are going to the people based on our work. And, we are confident that the people of ward No 7 & 8 will elect us to the panchayat body,” he said.
Reports are doing the rounds in Benaulim that Xavier has fielded wife Delia in ward No 8 not just because it is reserved for women, but the post of Sarpanch is being reserved for women this time.
On the other hand, the David family is the cynosure of all eyes after sitting panch David fielded his wife Vencila in ward No 5, while he is contesting in the neighbouring ward No VI against Seby Fernandes. What’s interesting to note is the fact that both David and Seby had supported Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao in the February 4 Assembly poll. Sources said that Churchill had reportedly told David not to contest in ward No VI and instead leave the seat for Seby, but in vain.
