the goan I network
MARGAO
Much water has flown down the river Sal since then. A total of eight candidates are left in the fray for the February 4, election. The presence of a host of candidates may tempt any political observer to predict a split in the non-BJP vote a la 2012 and benefit the BJP. The ground reality, however, appears somewhat different, this time round. One, there is neither an anti-Congress wave nor a pro-BJP wave.
Many of those, who supported Rajan to the hilt against the backdrop of the strong anti-Congress wave, have moved away from the BJP. In fact, the BJP is facing an acid test to hold on to its traditional support base if it hopes to capitalize on the anticipated split in the non-BJP vote. Rajan Naik’s popularity has dipped considerably over the last five years. Rajan is known as an honest man with integrity. But, unlike other BJP constituencies, development have not kept pace with the times,” remarked a local Cuncolim resident.
Cuncolim constituency has turned high profile after bureaucrat-turned-politician Elvis Gomes threw his hat in the electoral ring on the Aam Admi Party banner. Elvis had jumped the fray when Congress candidate Clafacio Dias and his Independent rival Joaquim Alemao had made much headway in the constituency. Post-anointment as AAP’s Chief Ministerial candidate, Elvis has managed to cover lot of ground. Political observers say that being a local boy from Cuncolim, Elvis can garner local vote by tapping local sentiment and hope for a split in the vote in villages amongst other players.
The battle between friends turned foes, former two-time MLA Joaquim Alemao and his Congress challenger is being keenly watched by political observers. Clafacio’s strong point has been his support base in the villages that make up the Cuncolim constituency. Just a year ago, he was new to politics in Cuncolim town, when rival Joaquim managed to form the Cuncolim Council. Observers, however, say that Clafacio can now hope to tap the traditional Congress vote from the Municipal area.
Joaquim Alemao is facing an acid test to his political career. He had twice won the seat in 2002 and 2007 with handsome margins, but that was when he had contested the polls on the Congress banner. Being a former MLA, Joaquim has his presence across the constituency, but he has a task ahead of him “ to overcome the challenge posed by Elvis Gomes in the Cuncolim Municipal area and Clafacio in the villages if he hopes of making a comeback.
Congress rebels, Adv John Monteiro and Devendra Desai are also in the fray on the Goa Vikas Party and the Shiv Sena respectively. Monteiro had played spoil sport to Joaquim’s prospects in the 2012 election by polling close to 5000 votes. Shiv Sena is new to Cuncolim politics and it remains to be seen to what extent Devendra can make inroads into the traditional majority vote.
