CANACONA
Long considered the jewel in its crown, Palolem is a crucial and influential ward for Canacona Municipal Council (CMC), given the coastal area's importance in tourism and its ability to add to the civic body's coffers.
And with Palolem partitioned into two wards, the stakes are double for key players like the BJP and its opponents to wrest control in both wards.
That the BJP has taken the two Palolem wards seriously is evident as local MLA and Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar even managed to get Chief Minister Laximikant Parsekar to campaign for the two BJP-backed candidates at Palolem-I and Palolem-II.
But despite its intensive campaign, the BJP is aware that it is up against formidable rivals in both wards of Palolem.
CMC Chairperson Simon Rebello is seeking to return to power in Palolem-I (Ward 9), while Divakar Pagui, former chairman and husband of sitting CMC councillor Rajeshri Pagi is equally strong in Palolem-II (Ward 10).
Aware of the strong rivals, the BJP-backed candidates, Dayanand Pagi and Laximan Pagi, have been heavily depending on Tawadkar for that extra impetus in their campaign, given his influence among voters along Palolem's coastline.
With 855 voters in Palolem-I, the BJP cadre has been working overtime to dethrone Rebello and to ensure that CMC former deputy chairperson Dayanand Pagui returns to the civic body.
Such has been the intense rivalry that supporters of Rebello had alleged that the BJP government had shifted 120 voters “ considered the vote bank of Rebello “ from Palolem-I to Palolem-II in a bid to ensure Rebello’s defeat in the polls.
Parsekar's presence at a meeting at Palolem last weekend gave a huge boost to the BJP campaign, but a unified opposition spearheaded by former Canacona legislators, Vijay Poi Khot and Isidore Fernandes, are equally determined to ensure the success of Rebello.
“It is true that voters still favour Rebello, but it is a matter of 80-100 votes. If we are successful in wooing the electorate, the tide can go against Rebello,” admits a BJP executive member, while speaking on condition of anonymity.
A similar situation has arisen in Palolem-II (Ward 10), which has 954 voters on its rolls.
“This is a ward where BJP has a strong lead against other parties in the assembly and parliamentary polls,” said the BJP executive member.
“But this time, we are in an awkward position. While the electorate says they are pro-BJP, they are not interested in voting for the BJP-backed candidate. After all, local polls are influenced by local issues. Nevertheless, we hope to win over some of the undecided voters to ensure a win for Laximan Pagi,” the BJP leader added.
Incidentally, around 160 odd voters of Palolem-II, pertaining to Devabhag locality, were shifted to Nagorcem ward, but Palolem-II got 120-odd voters from Palolem-I, retaining the influence of the OBC community in the ward.
But a strong rival in Palolem-II is not the only cause for anxiety in the BJP camp. Divakar Pagui, considered a dark horse in Canacona's politics, and BJP rebel candidate Deepak Komarpant are also likely to give further headache to the saffron brigade.
Divakar, who till recently was averse to contesting the polls, was, however, forced by his supporters to change his mind.
“Till such time no one came to stake claim to contest the elections, I finally agreed to the demand of my supporters. Then, two others owing allegiance to BJP also decided to enter into the fray,” Divakar informed 'The Goan'.
