MARGAO
Setting the pitch for the battle ahead, Leader of the Opposition Digambar Kamat on Sunday asked the women of Moti Dongor to question BJP leaders how come they come for votes with a begging bowl during elections while calling them goons and robbers.
Kamat was at Aquem in Ward No. 22 to launch the election campaign of former MMC chairperson Ganashyam Shirodkar, where the BJP has fielded Prabhav Naik, the grandson of former Minister late Babu Naik.
As a significant section of the crowd attending Shirodkar’s office inauguration comprised of women from the basties of Moti Dongor, Kamat reminded the women folk that these very same people call you goons and robbers and abuse you, but come with a begging bowl for votes during election time. “Question these people why do they call you goons and robbers and abuse the women,” he said.
The Margao MLA made a plea to the voters of Ward No. 22 not to make the same mistake they made last time by voting for a candidate, who is from outside Margao. “Many candidates will come to you for votes during election time. Don’t repeat the same mistake this time. I and Ganashyam Shirodkar are on one platform. He had helped and supported in the 2005 by-election,” he said adding that the large presence of crowd at the office inauguration shows that the people have ensured Shirodkar’s victory.
In his address, Ganashyam Shirodkar sounded a warning to the ruling dispensation that he will not hesitate to contest from Ward No. 17 where the BJP has re-nominated party Margao President Rupesh Mahatme if any attempts are made to pre-empt him from contesting from Ward No. 22 in the event the High Court verdict goes against the ward reservations.
“It is a strange coincidence that the government has reserved Ward No. 18 for OBC when I had declared my intention to contest from the ward,” he said, adding that he would not be cowed down by any pressure, more so when the local MLA Digambar Kamat has rallied behind him.
