the goan I network
MARGAO
Catholic-dominated Nuvem constituency is witnessing a five-cornered electoral battle as the sitting MLA is facing a stiff challenge from his bete noire Wilfred D’Sa, besides Vincent Rodrigues (NCP), Dr Mariano Godinho (AAP) and Independent candidate Dinesh Bandodkar.
Nuvem has been the Congress stronghold over the years till 2012 when Mickky successfully stormed the fort by defeating Congress heavyweight, four-time MLA and Minister Alexio Sequeira.
Much water, however, has flown down the river Sal in the last five years. Unlike 2012, there’s no anti-Congress wave in Nuvem. That’s not all. Mickky has quit the Goa Vikas Party and is seeking re-election on the Goa Su Raj party this time round.
But, Mickky has a task cut out for him -- to retain his base in his home village Betalbatim and neigbouring Majorda, besides Nagoa, Verna and Loutolim. For, the Congress candidate is widely expected to put up a good show in his home village Nuvem, where NCP’s Vincent Rodrigues has made his presence felt in certain pockets of the village. Wilfred also has his own following in the Nagoa-Verna belt as he represents these villages in the South Goa Zilla Panchayat and is strongly banking on the traditional Congress vote bank in the rest of the constituency to turn the tide in his favour.
Mickky has another challenge at hand, how to grapple with the opposition propaganda directed at him for extending support to the BJP govt in the last four years.
NCP’s Vincent Rodrigues, is leaving no stone unturned to cover as much ground as possible to stay in contention for the seat. After make his presence felt in his home village, he roped in UGDP leader and close friend Radharao Gracias to win support for his candidature in the Majorda-Betalbatim belt.
On the other hand, debutant Dr Mariano Godinho is apparently banking on the majority silent vote to keep him in good stead.
This is the first time that former Power Minister Alexio Sequeira is not in the fray in 23 years after the Congress leadership denied him the ticket. Against this backdrop and the fact that Sequeira expressed his resentment over the manner in which the Congress dumped him in the ticket race, local political observers say it remains to be seen how the Alexio factor will play in Nuvem “ in favour or against the Congress.
Mickky has weathered many a storm in his decade and half long political life. He has not lost a single Assembly election and had defeated heavyweights included Churchill Alemao and Alexio Sequeira in his career. Mickky is one politician who has changed parties every election and came out with flying colours. Will 2017 election again prove lucky for the flamboyant three-time MLA as he is seeking re-election from Nuvem, perhaps his last election from the constituency before he call it a day in politics?
