MARGAO
Even as Cuncolim Congress MLA Yuri Alemao has exuded confidence of party workers emerging victorious in the panchayat bodies in Cuncolim constituency, arch rival and ex-BJP MLA Clafacio Dias has asserted that his panel will form the panchayat in his home village Paroda.
In fact, Clafacio made no secret of the fact that he had fielded a panel of seven candidates for the Paroda panchayat, even as he exuded confidence of sweeping the election. “I have not been involved much in the panchayat election as we have left it for the party workers to contest the polls. In Paroda, however, which is my home village, I have fielded a panel, which will sweep the election,” he said.
He added: “Paroda is my home village, where I was twice elected the sarpanch. I had been the ZIlla Panchayat member as well before becoming the MLA. I am confident that the people of my home village will rally behind me and elect our panel.”
The ex-Cuncolim MLA denied reports that he was camping at a polling booth at Paroda, saying he had only visited a residence of his supporters, which is close to the booth.
MLA Yuri, on the other hand, is believed to have concentrated in the villages of Chandor, Guirdolim, Macazana. He has exuded confidence in party workers getting elected to these panchayat bodies.
He said one should not be surprised if party workers also get elected to the Balli village panchayat. Sources said Yuri and his Quepem counterpart MLA Altone D’Costa worked in tandem in a determined bid to wrest the Balli village panchayat.
