MAPUSA
With seven experienced candidates of the BJP lined up against the new faces in the Opposition camp, it’s virtually turning out to be a battle between David versus Goliath in Bardez.
While BJP has fielded current and former MLAs in six out of the seven constituencies, Congress has just one former minister among its ranks.
Among BJP’s current MLAs are Glenn Ticlo (Aldona) who is contesting the third time, Joshua D’Souza (Mapusa) second time and Nilkant Halarnkar (Tivim) for the fifth term while among the ex-MLAs Rohan Khaunte (Porvorim) is contesting for the third time, Jayesh Salgaonkar (Saligao) second term and Dayanand Mandrekar for the sixth time.
Former sarpanch Joseph Sequeira who is contesting on the BJP ticket in Calangute has twice contested assembly elections unsuccessfully from the same constituency.
Former minister and two-term MLA of Calangute, Michael Lobo is the lone ranger in the Congress who is taking on the might of the experienced saffron brigade in Bardez.
The Congress has fielded five new faces in the taluka: Carlos Ferreira (Aldona), Aman Lotlikar (Tivim), Kedar Naik (Saligao), Vikas Prabhudesai (Porvorim) and Delilah Lobo (Siolim)
Former sarpanch Sudhir Kandolkar (Mapusa) is contesting for the second time having contested the by-election in 2019 after the death of former deputy CM, Francis D’Souza.
Aam Aadmi Party has also fielded four new faces “ Rahul Mhambre (Mapusa), Sudesh Mayekar (Calangute), Uday Salkar (Tivim) and Ritesh Chodankar (Porvorim). AAP’s Vishnu Naik (Siolim) and Mario Cordeiro (Saligao) had contested in 2017 while Mahesh Satelkar (Aldona) who had contested on MGP ticket in 2017 is contesting on AAP symbol this time.
It’s the same story in TMC where the only experienced hand is former MLA Kiran Kandolkar who is contesting from Aldona. Kavita Kandolkar (Tivim), Sandip Vazarkar (Porvorim), Bolanath Ghadi (Saligao), Anthony Menezes (Calangute), Leo Dias (Siolim) and Tarak Arolkar (Mapusa) are all contesting assembly elections for the first time.
All the candidates fielded by Revolutionary Goans Party “ Tukaram Parab (Tivim), Rohan Salgoankar (Mapusa), Gauresh Mandrekar (Siolim), Rohan Kalangutkar (Saligao) and Marcelino Gonsalves (Calangute) and Goencho Swabhiman Party “ Roshan Mathias (Calangute) and Swapnesh Sherlekar (Tivim) “ are contesting for the first time.
Besides, there are candidates of the NCP, Shiv Sena and some Independents too who are contesting for the first time.
Voters of Bardez are spoiled for choice on whether they want to choose an experienced hand or a fresh face to represent them in the assembly.
“A mixture of experience and fresh faces is a fantastic option available for the voters of Bardez. A couple of professionals are also contesting the elections. People normally prefer a person who is accessible and who will reach out to them in need. The parties have given their choice. The ball is in people’s court,” said Ratnapal Salkar, a former teacher, who follows politics quite keenly.
