the goan I network
MARGAO
The stage is finally set for multi-cornered contests in the nine ZP constituencies spread across Salcete taluka.
After the date of withdrawal on Saturday, the Congress will contest in all the nine seats, followed by the Aam Aadmi party in seven seats and the National Congress Party (NCP) in three seats of Benaulim, Colva and Curtorim.
The constituencies of Davorlim and Velim have the highest number of candidates in the fray, around six candidates each to be precise. Apart from the candidates fielded by the Congress and BJP, around four candidates, including Congress rebel candidate, Abdul Kadir Shaik, are in the fray for the Davorlim seat.
In Velim, the Congress, which has fielded Julio Fernandes, is the lone political party in the fray. Former ZP member Anthony Rodrigues, Joannes Honorato Silva, Rafael Cardozo, Sapnil Vassudev Zatekar and Taumaturgo Rodrigues are the independents contesting from Velim.
The two crucial seats of Benaulim and Colva will witness triangular contests between the NCP, Congress and the Aam Aadmi.
The battle for the Colva seat will be between AAP’s Aishwarya Fernandes, Congress’ Suzie Fernandes and NCP’s Vania Baptista.
Similarly, the Congress, NCP and AAP are locked in a triangular fight for the Benaulim seat. While NCP has fielded noted tiatrist and Benaulim Deputy Sarpanch Menino de Bandar, the Congress has nominated former Benaulim sarpanch Royla Fernandes for the seat. Young Hanzel Fernandes is AAP’s candidate for Benaulim.
Raia seat will witness a four-cornered contest between Congress’ Joseph Vaz, AAP’s Leandrinha Gomes and independents, former ZP member Domnic Gaonkar and Cruz Mariano Pereira.
The Nuvem seat will witness a triangular contest between Congress Assuciana Rodrigues, AAP’s Marcelina Colaco and independent candidate, former Nuvem Sarpanch Breeze Barretto.
The Navelim seat will also witness a triangular fight between Congress’ Jose Santa Rita Coelho, AAP’s Matilda D’Silva and two-time ZP member Cipru Cardozo, who is contesting as independent.
Guirdolim ZP seat is set to witness a close fight between BJP’s Sanjana Velim, Congress’ Sonia Fernandes and AAP’s Rodolfina Vaz. Sitting ZP member Menakshi Gaonkar, who has filed her nomination papers as an independent candidate withdrew her nomination after she was accompanied to the office of the Returning Officer by Cuncolim BJP MLA Clafacio Dias and others.
