MARGAO
Saxtti career politicians and their challengers, besides the first timers all descended at the Matanhy Saldanha complex as politicos with their supporters in tow made a beeline to file their nomination papers for the eight Assembly constituencies of Salcete on Thursday.
Leading the pack of career politicians was Opposition Leader Digambar Kamat, his challenger Manohar Ajgaonkar, TMC MLA Churchill Alemao, sitting MLAs Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai, Wilfred D’Sa, former three-time, MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, two-time MLA Damu Naik, four-time Congress MLA, heavyweight Aleixo Sequeira and a host of first timers, including Yuri Alemao, Dr Jorson Fernandes, Valanka Alemao, Savio D’Silva, Cruz Silva, Ulhas Tuemkar, Wenzy Viegas, Moreno Rebello, Anthony Barbosa, Santosh Faldesai and others.
With just a day left for the curtains to come down on the process for filing of nomination papers, Saxtti political heavyweights and their challengers all made a beeline on the penultimate day on Thursday to file their papers.
Opposition leader Digambar Kamat filed his papers on Thursday, seeking re-election for the eight consecutive time from his stronghold Margao. His BJP challenger, Dy. Chief Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar filed his papers on Thursday.
Five-time MLA Churchill Alemao filed his papers to play yet another innings from Benaulim. His Aam Aadmi Party challenger Wenzy Viegas also filed his nomination on Thursday, saying the State is now set to liberate Benaulim and bring about a revolution in the constituency.
In neighbouring Fatorda, arch rivals, Goa Forward MLA Vijai Sardesai and former BJP MLA Damu Naik filed their nominations on Thursday, setting the stage for yet another battle to control Fatorda.
Former three-time MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, who is the cynosure of all eyes for changing parties over the last one month, also filed his papers as an Independent candidate. His challengers Congress candidate, Moreno Rebello, Aam Aadmi Party nominee Dominick Gaunkar and BJP candidate Anthony Barbosa too filed their papers on Thursday.
Four-time Congress heavyweight Aleixo Sequeira has filed his nomination papers on Thursday, in a bid to play another innings from Nuvem. Outgoing Congress-turned-BJP MLA Wilfred D’Sa has thrown his hat in the race, this time as an Independent. Their TMC challenger, Jose Raju Cabral filed his papers too.
For the Navelim seat, Churchill’s daughter Valanka filed her nomination for the seat. BJP nominee Ulhas Tuemkar and NCP candidate Rehan Mujawar also filed their papers.
Congress candidate Savio D’Silva and Aam Aadmi Party candidate Cruz also filed their papers for the Velim seat.
As many as three candidates have filed nomination papers for the Cuncolim seat. They are Congress nominee Yuri Alemao, TMC candidate Dr Jorson Fernandes and Independent Santosh Faldesai.
