the goan I network
MARGAO
Anxious to retain the Davorlim Zilla Panchayat seat in Congress veteran Luizinho Faleiro’s bastion Navelim, the BJP kicked off the election campaign of party candidate, sitting member Ulhas Tuemkar on Saturday by opening the election office in Davorlim.
On the other hand, the Congress is yet to shortlist the party candidate for Davorlim from amongst the list of five probables for the seat.
Sources in the BJP informed that the party leadership has accorded importance to the Davorlim seat in Salcete, aware that a victory will help the party in the overall tally to retain its hold over the South Goa ZP constituency.
While Ulhas had won the seat by a margin of around 1500 votes, the party hopes to improve the lead this time around with rebel leader Satyavijay Naik back in the party-fold. In the 2015 ZP polls, Satyavijay had thrown his hat in the ring after he was denied the party ticket and polled substantial votes, which restricted the victory margin of the party candidate.
While addressing the workers, Ulhas exuded confidence that he would win by a substantial margin given that Satyavijai Naik is now back with the party. The BJP candidate further said that he was instrumental in taking up development works during his five-year stint in office, adding that his candidature has the backing of people from all walks of life, irrespective of caste and creed.
While Ulhas is scheduled to file his nomination papers on Monday, the Congress camp is still unclear on the choice of the party candidate. The Navelim Block Congress Committee, sources said, had recommended the names of five probables, including K Murtuz, Sahar Shaikh, Shaik Abdul Kadir, Rajani Raikar and Paulo Pedro Colaco for the ticket. It is learnt that the South Goa District Committee has recommended the names of Paulo Colaco and Rajani Raikar for the ticket.
Sources, however, said that Navelim MLA and veteran Congress leader Luizinho Faleiro will have a final say in the finalization of the party candidate.
