MARGAO
The hectic fortnight-long campaign for the South Goa Lok Sabha seat saw Team BJP and Team INDIA bloc and their key players active on the ground in Salcete, either to protect their forts from crumbling or to make inroads into the enemy territories.
In fact, leadership of INDIA bloc and BJP is banking heavily on the team members to keep the candidates of the two parties, Captain Viriato Fernandes and Pallavi Dempo respectively, in good stead. A report.
AAP MLAs, Opposition leader’s contribution to count for Cong
The two Aam Aadmi Party MLAs, Venzy Viegas (Benaulim) and Cruz Silva (Velim) along with Opposition leader Yuri Alemao have been the key players in the INDIA bloc in the May 7 election. Unlike other players on the field, the role of the three MLAs have been clear and simple – hold on to the lead secured by the Congress in the 2019 Lok Sabha, if not improve on the lead, and ward off any attack from the BJP to make inroads into these minority strongholds.
Both the AAP MLAs Venzy Viegas and Cruz Silva had a clear task cut out in both Benaulim and Velim to ensure that the two minority strongholds give the much-needed lead for Captain Viriato Fernandes. In fact, the two MLAs have been instrumental in organising a host of corner meetings across their respective Assembly segments during the campaign. In addition, the Congress and other players in these two segments had separate campaigns.
Take note, the Congress candidate cannot hope to win the South Goa seat without Benaulim and Velim voting en block in the May 7 election.
Lead in Cuncolim vital for Congress
If Congress leaders in private say that a whopping 70,000-vote lead in Salcete will put the party in the driver’s seat, the party cannot hope to achieve the target without substantial lead from Cuncolim, the home constituency of Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao.
No doubt, the BJP has made a determined bid to make deep inroads into Cuncolim, but political observers say Yuri has a task cut out – to ward off the BJP, protect his fort from crumbling and secure his position as the Congress CLP leader and Opposition leader.
With Vijai’s help, Cong sees lead in Fatorda
A substantial lead in Fatorda is what the Congress is eyeing to offset BJP’s calculations in Salcete. With Digambar Kamat back in the BJP fold in neighbouring Margao, sources say a lead over the BJP in Fatorda will help neutralise the BJP gains in Margao in the final tally of votes.
Sardesai has also made his presence in neighbouring Margao to wean voters towards the Congress.
He is also believed to have made his presence in Rumdamol housing board, Navelim and Housing Board, Curtorim in a bid to ensure the non-BJP votes goes in favour of Captain Viriato.
Mickky-Wilfred-Radharao trio for INDIA bloc in NuvemThese former MLAs have been working independently in minority stronghold Nuvem, giving the booster to the Congress campaign. No doubt, the local Congress leadership led by Everson Vales and others have been moving across the segment to drum up support for Captain Viriato, but the support extended by these former MLAs is expected to go a long way to consolidate the non-BJP vote in favour of the Congress.
BJP banks on ex-Cong leaders role to achieve target in taluka
Congress turncoats comprising of Minister Aleixo Sequeira (Nuvem) and Digambar Kamat (Margao) along with Independent Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco have turned out the key players in Team BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
These former Congress leaders have come in handy for the BJP to play crucial roles in the May 7 election. While the party hopes that Congress-turned-BJP MLA Digambar Kamat will help the BJP to take a lead over the Congress in the coming election, the BJP leadership must have pinned their hopes on both Aleixo Sequeira and Reginaldo Lourenco to stop the Congress’ free run and reduce the lead of Captain Viriato in these two minority strongholds.
Take note, the trio have been active in their respective Assembly segments during the fortnight-long campaign. If sources in the ruling party are to be believed, the BJP focus of attention is centered on these three former Congress leaders to achieve their set targets.
Party eyes Phal Dessai’s contribution in Cuncolim
Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai is another BJP leader who has emerged as a key player for the Team BJP in Salcete. Though representing Sanguem taluka, Subhash Phal Dessai has made his repeated presence in Cuncolim, Opposition Leader Yuri Alemao’s turf.
His target appears simple – to help consolidate the BJP’s traditional vote base in favour of Pallavi Dempo. The BJP knows for sure that a significant section of the powerful Desai community had voted for Yuri in the Assembly election. Phal Dessai may have been roped in Cuncolim to consolidate the BJP vote base back to the party in the May 7 election.
