MARGAO
Two-time Navelim Zilla Panchayat member, Cipru Cardozo on Wednesday filed his nomination for the Navelim ZP bye-poll, exuding confidence of winning the election with a comfortable margin.
If Congress bigwigs accompanied Congress candidate Pratima Coutinho to the office of the Returning Officer on Tuesday, grass-root leaders, including Navelim Sarpanch Bebinda Gonsalves, deputy sarpanch Paul Pereira, Dramapur-Sirlim Sarpanch Sanjana Chari, besides a host of panch members came to show their solidarity with the Independent candidate at the district Collectorate on Wednesday.
After filing his papers, Cipru said he would take his development work carried out during the last two terms to the people of Navelim ZP constituency, comprising of Navelim, Telaulim, Dramapur-Sirlim and Sarzora while seeking votes.
“Let the people of the constituency decide whether I should be given another term or not. I have no big leaders with me, but the grass-root representatives and the common man have extended their support for my candidature,” he said.
To a question, whether he has approached any political party in support of his candidature, Cipru said he has called on former Navelim MLA Avertano Furtado, NCP MLA Churchill Alemao seeking support, adding that he would approach Fisheries Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues for his support as well. “As an independent candidate, I have to approach all people. Both Filipe Neri and Churchill have been my friends, and it is my duty to call on everyone for the support,” he said.
Saying that he was never associated with the Goa Forward party, Cipru said he had contested the 2017 Assembly election as an Independent.
