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THE GOAN NETWORK
PERNEM
Filing of nomination papers is the first significant electoral action of a candidate. But when Congress candidate Babi Bagkar filed his nomination for the Mandrem bypoll on Thursday, what was more politically significant was the presence of those along with him.
The presence of former union minister Ramakant Khalap, who was one of the Congress ticket aspirants, and former minister Sangeeta Parab, mother of Sachin Parab, the other ticket aspirant, when Bagkar filed his nomination sent a clear signal that the three Congress leaders had joined forces for the bypoll.
The Congress Party's decision to belatedly give the party ticket to GPCC Vice President Babi Bagkar for the Mandrem bypoll after ruling out other ticket aspirants Khalap and Parab, had threatened to split the Congress voter base in Mandrem constituency.
Bagkar, Khalap and Parab had been involved in a keenly fought battle for the party ticket.
While Bagkar was jubilant after being given the party ticket, he was aware of the need to win over Khalap, Parab and their respective supporters in his bid to defeat BJP's candidate Dayanand Sopte.
Bagkar had said he would personally go to residences of Ramakant Khalap and Sachin Parab and seek their blessings for the victory of Congress party.
Khalap had expressed disappointment after being denied the ticket and while pledging his loyalty to the party, Khalap was initially unsure on whether or not to campaign for Bagkar.
Sachin Parab had also been dejected as he could not get the party ticket and said he would make his position (on his support to Bagkar) clear by Wednesday.
The presence of Khalap and Sangeeta Parab alongside Bagkar after he filed his nomination gave clear indication that Bagkar had managed to persuade the two other leaders to support him in the Mandrem bypolls.
Incidentally, both Khalap and Sangeeta were present at the rally staged by Bagkar and his supporters which began at the Bhagwati temple, before Bagkar filed his nomination.
Others present included former chief minister and Poriem MLA Pratapsing Rane, former chief minister and Ponda MLA Ravi Naik, Leader of Opposition Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, Tivim MLA Nilkanth Halarnkar, former Pernem MLA Jitendra Deshprabhu, Congress observer for Mandrem Khemlo Sawant and Congress workers.
Bagkar thanked the Congress high command and promised to work for the overall development of Mandrem.
"The person who was elected by voters as Congress MLA not only betrayed the people but also did nothing for the constituency. If we have self-respect we must show him his place. I will do everything that the former MLA was unable to do," Bagkar said.
Ravi Naik admitted there was a delay in finalising the Congress candidate but said the party ticket had been given to the right person. Chandrakant Kavlekar, Jitendra Deshprabhu and Nilkanth Halarnkar also expressed their views.
