the goan I network
MARGAO
The battle for the Nuvem Zilla Panchayat seat appears poised for an interesting finish. Against the backdrop of the host of Congress leaders throwing their lot behind the party candidate Assuciana Roman Rodrigues, Congress-turned-BJP Nuvem MLA Wilfred D’Sa has finally descended on the battlefield in support of Independent candidate Dr Breezy Barretto.
While local Congress leaders, Tony D’Costa, Everson Vales and Pausilip Dourado have been going around Nuvem to drum up support for Congress nominee Assuciana, the Nuvem MLA has hit the campaign trail of the Independent candidate in Nagoa village.
Just five days to go for the Ziilla Panchayat election, the battle lines appear to be drawn in Nuvem. The Independent candidate Breezy Barretto has the support of the Nuvem MLA and is being backed by the sarpanchas of the villages of Nuvem, Verna and Nagoa, besides most of the panchas, virtually making the ruling camp a force to reckon with.
On the other hand, the Congress camp seems to have finally got its act together in a constituency that has a history of giving the highest lead to the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls.
Not only have the local leaders joined hands to take on the BJP MLA, but the Congress candidate has received the blessings of former Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira. That’s not all. The Congress campaign also got a shot in the arm with former Nuvem MLA and Minister Mickky Pacheco drumming up support for the party candidate in the areas of his influence.
Says local Congress leader, Tony D’Costa: “The ensuing election is not just any other election but an election to teach a lesson for those who had betrayed the trust of the people. Nuvem is a Congress constituency and the people had elected Wilfred on the party banner before he jumped into the BJP. The people will teach these people a lesson through the ballot.”
Former Nuvem Sarpanch Pausilipo Dourado said people have decided to rally behind the Congress candidate to bring about a change. “People want a change in Nuvem. We have all decided to work together to bring about a change,” he added.
Congress candidate Assuciana Roman Rodrigues said he has in mind a lot of things for Nuvem, including healthcare and garbage management.
That the Nuvem MLA had extended support to the Independent candidate was evident that Wilfred’s wife Freda had been moving around the constituency with Breezy. With five days to go for the election, Wilfred himself has descended on the constituency and was seen around Nagoa village campaigning for the Independent candidate.
“Breezy comes from a family with a political background. The family had always worked for the people. She has the support of the sarpanchas of all the three villages of Nuvem, Nagoa and Verna. Most of the panchas are also supporting her,” the BJP MLA said.
Exuding confidence that Breezy will win the seat as there’s no opposition to her candidature, Wilfred said he has decided to support the Independent candidate as the Scheduled Tribes had in the past rallied behind me in the ZP election.
“My conscience has told me to wholeheartedly support Breezy. The ST community had supported in the ZP election in the past though there were two ST candidates in the fray. It’s my duty now to support Breezy,” he said.
Breezy said the work put in by her during her stint as Nuvem Sarpanch and the support of local MLA, sarpanchas, panchas and the people in general will keep her in good stead.
On the ground, Independent candidate Breezy seems to have the backing of the powers that be, right from the MLA and the sarpanchas. Congress leaders, on the other hand, are pinning hopes on the vast majority of silent voters to vote for the
Hand symbol.
