MARGAO
After the court battle, the BJP and the Congress-Goa Forward combine seem to be bracing up to go to the people’s court for a mandate, not just on the High Court verdict, but to wrest control of the Margao Municipal Council.
BJP-backed Vibrant Margao convenor Damu Naik sought to downplay the court verdict, saying the order will in no way have a major effect on the candidates finalized for the Margao Municipal Council.
On the other hand, Goa Forward said the High Court verdict will dent the ruling party’s image and has vowed to make the court’s ruling a major issue in the elections for the Margao civic body.
While the BJP had unveiled the names of all the candidates for the 25 Margao municipal wards, both Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat and the Goa Forward Chief had waited for the High Court order to finalize the candidates, reasoning out that any order striking down the ward reservation will have an effect on the selection of candidates.
Damu, however, pointed out that the High Court order will not affect the composition of the 25 candidates finalised by Vibrant Margao. “I do not think the court order will impact the composition of our candidates in a major way. A couple of wards were reserved for the ST community keeping in mind the concentration of the ST population in these areas,” he said.
On women’s reservation, Damu said that this was challenged on the ground that it was less than 33 per cent provided in the Constitution.
“As per the ward reservation, around eight wards were reserved for the 25-member MMC. You make it exact 33 per cent and Margao will have nine wards reserved for the 25-member Margao civic body for women,” he added.
Damu, however, said that irrespective of the High Court order, Vibrant Margao will go to seek people’s mandate as and when the civic polls are held.
“We are all geared up for the polls. Our candidates have all started their campaign and we are going to the people’s court,” he added.
Both Kamat and Sardesai are expected to give final touches to their respective candidates after the completion of the ward reservations. Sardesai, however, said the Goa Forward will explain to Fatordekars how the BJP tried to fool the people. “We are happy that the High Court has struck down the ward reservations. We will take the battle to the people’s court to expose the ruling party and the Chief Minister for chicanery,” Sardesai asserted.
