MARGAO
Congress ticket aspirants from its stronghold Salcete seemed literally on the edge as the party is bracing up to finally unveil the list of candidates for the remaining five constituencies.
As the D-day has finally arrived for the Congress to announce the second and final list of candidates for the ensuing elections, sources said there’s been hectic behind the scenes activity, with the ticket aspirants lobbying hard with party leaders for the consideration of their candidature.
Right from Goa Desk observer Dinesh Gundu Rao to Opposition leader Digambar Kamat and GPCC Chief Girish Chodankar, tickets aspirants seemed to have not stopped either calling them on their cell phones or dropping at their place of residence and office to ensure there are no hiccups till the High Command gives the final nod for the candidates.
While Congress has cleared the candidates for Margao and Cuncolim, the party has the arduous task of zeroing in the candidates for Velim, Loutolim, Benaulim, Navelim and Curtorim, where more than one candidate has staked a claim for the party ticket.
Will Cong say yes to Shalom for Curtorim?
Curtorkars have a common question to ask “ whether the Congress High Command will dare say no to claim made by South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha for son Shalom and in the bargain lose another Salcete-based party’s Catholic face on the eve of the ensuing polls.
Sources said the MP has conveyed to the party observers in loud and clear terms that it should not count on his support if his claim for son Shalom is not considered by the party high command.
In fact, Sardinha has argued that the bogey of family raj has no relevance in Curtorim since he is an MP and son Shalom wants to make a debut in state politics, citing instances of Congress leaders and their sons being members of Parliament.
Another strong contender for the Congress ticket is ex-ZP member Moreno Rebello, who has returned to the party fold after his 20-day association with the BJP. Congress veteran Joseph Vaz has also staked a claim for the party ticket.
Four in race for Velim ticket
Minority dominated Velim has seen as many as four aspirants, South Goa district Congress Chief Joe Dias, Velim Sarpanch Savio D’Silva, former MLA Benjamin D’Silva and ex-Sarzora Sarpanch Sabita Mascarenhas, laying strong claim for the party ticket.
Sources said a group of South Goa district Congress committee has called on Dinesh Gundu Rao, Digambar Kamat and Girish Chodankar to nominate district chief Joe Dias for the Velim seat, recalling his role in the Lok Sabha election.
Velim Sarpanch Savio D’Silva too has called on party leaders for the ticket, pointing out how he had worked hard to ensure victory for the Congress when party leaders were opposed to fielding a candidate on the party banner.
Mickky still has high hopes in Benaulim
Former Minister Mickky Pacheco has not lost hopes of getting the Congress nomination for the Benaulim seat. Other ticket aspirants, including Royla Fernandes, Gina Pereira, Trevor Fernandes are also anxiously waiting for the party High Command to nominate them for the ticket. That’s not all. Varca-based Pinto’s have also staked a claim for the ticket.
Avertano vs Rehan for Navelim ticket
The fight for the Navelim seat has narrowed down between former Minister Avertano Furtado and his young challenger Rehan Muzzawar. That the party did not announce the candidate for the Navelim seat has sent indications that it did not want to rush with the nominee, fearing rebellion. While party leaders in private say that Avertano may not encounter any serious problem for his candidature, sources, however, say the ticket may go to Rehan in the event the party decides to nominate a Muslim candidate in Navelim.
Alexio Sequeira, Everson Vales in fray for Nuvem
Former Power Minister Alexio Sequeira along with GPCC general secretary Everson Vales are in the race for the Nuvem ticket. The name of the third candidate, however, has been doing the rounds in Congress circles and outside in the last few days. While party leaders tried to rule out the candidature of this third candidate, questions are being raised in party circles about how the name of this third candidate cropped up when he is not even a member.
