MARGAO
What’s common between Moti Dongor, Azad Nagar now rechristened as Babu Nagar, Fakir Bandh and Khareband in the commercial capital.
Well, they constitute the bustling migrant basties in Margao constituency and a crucial vote bank too, that can make or mar the political career of individuals and their political parties.
But, hold on. The migrant colonies are no longer restricted to the Moti Dongor hillock. One can find the presence of migrants across the fertile political plains in minority Salcete over the years. Besides, the growing presence of outsiders, not exactly falling in the migrant vote category, hailing from other parts of the country, right from North India to Karnataka and Kerala, besides neighbouring Maharashtra, putting up in apartments, housing societies, is felt across the taluka.
In fact, if one has come across the political lot muted in their reactions on the Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, it’s because politicians of all hues cannot afford to ignore the migrant vote, least they run the risk of losing the crucial vote that makes a big difference between winning and losing an election.
Take note, Moti Dongor, Khareband, and Fakir Bandh have been the much-sought after areas during election time, and not to mention the Pajifond migrant colony in neighbouring Fatorda. Semi-urban areas in the immediate neighbourhood of Margao and Fatorda such as Curtorim and Navelim constituencies have its own share of the migrant vote.
The Kargilbasti in Curtorim, besides the housing board area in the constituency are just the two areas, which has a marked migrant presence in Curtorim constituency. The Housing Board in Rumdamol and the rising population of outsiders in Davorlim and Navelim, sources say, have also added to the migrant vote in Navelim constituency. In fact, the growing presence of the migrant vote has come under the scanner of key players in Navelim politics, with both the Rumdamol Housing Board and areas under Davolim village playing host to migrant population.
Migrant presence is also being felt in the remaining four Assembly constituencies of Cuncolim, Velim, Nuvem and Benaulim, but in a small way. If the migrant pockets in the Cuncolim Municipal area are the much-sought after vote bank in any election, politicians of all hues jostle to woo the migrant vote in Seraulim village and at Tolleabandh falling in Benaulim constituency.
The location of the mega industrial estate in the constituency at Verna, extending right up to Loutolim village, has also contributed to the presence of migrants in Nuvem constituency.
Minority-dominated Velim constituency may not play host for too many migrants. People in the know say the migrant vote, though small in number, is spread across the constituency.
A glance at the past election results show that the migrant vote has still not proved as decisive in Salcete countryside as compared to Margao. No politician, however, can ill afford to ignore this vote, especially in a closely fought electoral battle, sources say.
Political observers say that the migrant vote, patronized and supported by the political class, however, has come to stay in Salcete countryside. “One can find the presence of migrants in the semi-urbanized areas of Navelim and Cuncolim around the Industrial estate. Rough estimates say the migrant vote may be in the range of 1500-2000, if not more, in each of the constituencies of Benaulim, Velim, Cuncolim and Nuvem”, sources said.
Says political commentator, Adv Cleofato Coutinho: “Goa is emerging as a city-state and this migration is here to stay. What has also come to stay is the migrant vote. That’s the reason why politicians cannot afford to antagonize their vote banks. And, neither can they afford to rub the wrong way”.
Adv Coutinho, who had spoken his voice against the controversial Goa Bhumiputra Adhikarini Bill, 2021, said the Bill had all the potential of giving rise to social tensions in the state.
