MARGAO
Can the Bharatiya Janata Party or debutant Aam AAdmi Party storm migrant-inhabited Moti Dongor “ the fort held by five-time Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, affectionately called “Baba” in the lanes and bastis atop the hillock?
Digambar finally set his foot on Moti Dongor, accompanied by his supporters. Baba sought blessings of the migrant inhabitants in a bid to play his sixth consecutive political innings. Walking through the narrow lanes and by-lanes with supporters in tow, Digambar needed no introduction as he shared close rapport with the elders and the middle-aged and was equally popular with the youth. This isn’t the first time Digmabar has knocked the doors of the hutment dwellers. In fact, his writ runs large atop the hillock since the last 23 years since his first election in 1994.
“You may ask the inhabitants why they have left everything and come to welcome me. That will give you the insight about the support I enjoy among the voters here,” remarked Digmabar when asked about his position atop Moti Dongor this time round.
Even as his close supporters shouted slogans in favour of their Baba, a confident-looking and satisfied Digambar shook hands with women and children, dishing clear signals that all’s well in his stronghold, the home for the 2500-plus strong migrant vote.
In fact, Moti Dongor has been Digambar’s bastion over the years. Since he quit the BJP in 2005 to embrace the Congress, BJP has been literally found struggling to make a dent atop the hillock. Since the 2005 by-poll, the battle atop the hillock has been clearly one-sided and loaded heavily in favour of Digambar, with the BJP and other forces stranded way behind.
Take the case of the 2012 Assembly election. Moti Dongor alone gave Digambar an unassailable lead of 1425 votes over the BJP. That Digambar’s domination is complete atop the hillock is evident from the fact that while he polled around 1542 votes, the BJP was struggling way behind with a mere 117 votes, giving the sitting Margao MLA a 1425 vote lead and help him maintain his stranglehold over the area.
Can the BJP turn the tide in its favour in the ensuing election, is a question asked in city’s political circles, more so since a couple of local BJP workers lent their hand and assistance to the beleaguered migrant inhabitants when the demolition sword was hanging over the illegal hutments? No doubt, a group of migrant leaders are presently supporting the BJP candidate. It is also learnt that the BJP leadership has also roped in Digmabar’s friend-turned-foe, Nitin Naik, to help the party break into Moti Dongor.
On the other hand, debutant Aam Aadmi Party has also made its presence felt atop the hillock. The party has even roped in leaders from neighbouring Karnataka to convince the migrants why they should stand by the AAP in the election.
