POLL PULSE: BICHOLIM
panaji
Bicholim constituency is expected to witness a close fight between BJP and MGP in the upcoming polls with both equally trying all possible ways to gain ground in the constituency.
Discussions with Bicholim residents revealed that BJP candidate Rajesh Patnekar has a major hold in the city area while MGP candidate Naresh Sawal garners most of his support from the villages of Mencurem and Sal. However, in Mulgao village, there is no specific inclination towards one candidate.
Many voters in the constituency were also of the opinion that the Medium of Instruction (MoI) issue on which the MGP and GSM are facing the polls will not have a major impact in the constituency. Additionally, apart from the major ‘employment’ issue, there were no other issues pointed out by people.
“The MoI issue may not have a major impact in the constituency as there are a few in support of withdrawal of grants to the English primary schools. And Sawal being a Marathi protagonist, Konkani supporters may not even garner any support from Konkani lovers," said a local resident.
Another resident of Mencurem said, “Being even an independent MLA, Sawal was quite vocal in the Assembly about the issues the constituency faced. And now he has joined a political party.”
The BJP too is making all efforts to make inroads into Sawal's stronghold, the Sal village. In a bid to make inroads into Sawal’s bastion, BJP members also had a meeting with prominent Sal residents last week.
While touring the constituency, The Goan also bumped into Rajesh Patnekar who was busy campaigning for the polls. Though the constituents did not raise many major issues with him, many were seeking jobs for the youth in the family.
“I have managed to cover 60 per cent of the campaign. If I am elected, the first thing on my agenda for the constituency would be a sports complex and Ravindra Bhavan," said Patnekar.
BOX:
PANAJI: Though there are other candidates including Manohar Shirodkar of Congress and Pandurang Raut of Goa Praja Party, among others; people were of the opinion that Raut could eat into MGP votes, while Patnekar would manage to secure his personal votes.
Speaking to The Goan, an elderly person said, “If Pandurang Raut contests, he will eat into Sawal’s votes mainly because the people who are supporting him are the traditional MGP voters.”
A Mulgao resident said, “In 2012, Patnekar was a Congress candidate and he had garnered over 6,500 votes. This included the Congress votes and his personal votes too. Naturally, he will get his personal votes this time too, while Shirodkar will secure only the traditional Congress votes.”
