MARGAO
The Fatorda Forward panel has fielded candidates in the 13 wards of Margao Municipal Council, 11 in Fatorda and two in the Curtoirm area of the civic body, with Goa Forward Chief Vijai Sardesai saying the candidates represent the cosmopolitan structure of Fatorda and is a first step towards forming Team Goa to take on the BJP in the 2022 Assembly election.
Of the 13 candidates, nine are new faces, around 70 per cent to be precise, while two candidates are sitting councillors and the remaining two are former councilors.
The 13 candidates submitted their nomination papers to Returning Officer Jyoti Kumari after seeking the blessings of Lord Dambab and offering prayers at the St Francis Xavier Chapel, Fatorda.
Briefing the media in the presence of the 13 candidates, Sardesai said the team Fatorda Forward represents the cosmopolitan structure of Fatorda as the party has given representation to all sections of society. “We have new faces as well as some former councilors in the team. This team will work to give Fatordekars and the tax payers modern amenities and infrastructure while preserving our tradition and culture”, he said, adding “this team will be the torch bearers of the democratic aspirations and will fulfil the expectations of the people”.
Saying the Fatorda Forward was all geared up for the ensuing polls, Sardesdai took potshots at the rivals in the fray, saying the opponents are still on a hunt to find candidates.
Charging the government for raising the bogey of COVID to dissuade voters, especially senior citizens from voting, the Goa Forward Chief said the party will put in place SOPs to ensure that care is taken of voters while they are brought for voting.
“Team Goa will start from Fatorda in the ensuing election. We will seek the blessing of the people of Fatorda toward Team Goa. We will announce our plans with other parties how we will go ahead with Team Goa”, he added.
Asked why the party had to abandon majority of the sitting councillors, Vijai shot back “barring one, all the former councillors are backing our candidates. Only a lone ex-councillor is planning to contest the polls against our candidate as part of BJP’s plan to divide votes”.
Asked why outgoing vice-chairperson Tito Cardozo is not part of the panel, Sardesai said Tito is supporting the panel candidate, adding “all our candidates are rooted to the ground. We have given representation to all castes and groups.”
Fatorda Forward candidates who filed their nominations are Francis AgneloJoanes (Ward No 1), Joao NicolauCrasto, (Ward No 2), Lyndon Fredy Pereira (Ward No 3), Pooja ParmeshwarNaik (Ward No 4), Shweta SujayLotlikar (Ward No 5), Pravin Jana Naik (Ward No 6), Custodio Dias (Ward No 7), Milagre Noronha (Ward No 8), RavindraNaik (Ward No 9), VitorinoFernandes (Ward No 10), Raju Alias BudhajI U. Naik (Ward No 11), NimesiaFaleiro (Ward No 23), Adv. Ashma Bi (Ward No 25).
