VASCO
While the State has been focussed on the Monserrate, Rane and Lobo couples, who have become legislators in the State, two ‘power’ couples have also emerged in Vasco city and despite being in rival parties, both couples are set to influence politics in the port town.
One couple consists of Mormugao’s Congress MLA Sankalp Amonkar and his wife, Mormugao councillor Shraddha Amonkar, while the other comprises Vasco's BJP MLA Krishna (Daji) Salkar and his wife, Mormugao councillor Shami Salkar.
Sankalp & Shraddha Amonkar
Mormugao Congress MLA Sankalp Amonkar feels that two representatives from one family need not imply greed of power but be looked upon as a better chance to serve people and improve the relationship between the municipality and the government.
"It is not like we are based in two different constituencies. I have been elected as MLA of Mormugao while my wife is a second-term councillor. My family has been in social work for many years, right from my father to me and now, my wife," said Sankalp.
"My wife has been in social work for over 20 years now, and it was only on repeated public requests that she contested civic elections. Based on her work, she won previously in Ward 7 and now in Ward 8.”
Amonkar said it was important that councillors and MLAs work in close coordination for development works.
"As MLA, I would like to undertake development works for Mormugao constituency, but if works have to be taken in every ward, then councillors take it up and coordinate with the MLA. When you have a family member in civic politics, it becomes easier to identify issues in the council, and it can be represented with the Government. Municipal politics is equally important as assembly level politics," said Sankalp.
"I may be a Congress MLA and have my wife in the council, but I represent Mormugao constituency comprising nine wards, and I will be open to suggestions from all councillors, irrespective of party affiliation," said Sankalp.
Councillor Shraddha Amonkar said it was always an added advantage to have two persons representing people at two different levels, as issues can be taken up and grievances can be addressed easily.
“There is always ruling and opposition sides and in the best interest of democracy, both are extremely important. The opposition often points out wrongdoings and the ruling finally has to accede to opposition demands," said Shraddha.
"As a councillor, I may be in the opposition but if any person wants to work, it does not matter as I have taken up development works immaterial of my position. With my husband as MLA, it will only make me stronger to raise bigger civic issues, take up more development works and work in a much better manner for all sections of people," said Shraddha.
Krishna (Daji) & Shami Salkar
Krishna (Daji) Salkar said that while he was a councillor for 15 years, his wife Shami had been his constant pillar of support.
"She has come up from the grassroots and knows the process of placing files inside out to get the work done. Shami has been actively involved with women and self-help groups throughout the constituency and so when my ward was reserved for women, it was natural to field Shami as she is well-known and being actively involved with me in the ward. The connection was always there," said Daji.
"Ward elections are more about personal votes as people vote for the person. The municipality and the MLA are on the same page and it helps the constituency, so naturally, the ward will also benefit if things can happen through the municipality as well.”
Shami said it was beneficial to have her husband as MLA of Vasco.
"I have been working alongside him since he served as councillor for 15 years. Now that I am in his place, it will help me to coordinate development works concerning the municipality. On a lighter note, it will help me get more work done in my ward.”
“Also, being the daughter of a journalist and being active in the media since the late 1990s, politics was never new to me. So, when Daji was into politics, I was not new to meeting people and having interactions with them and was also aware of the various topics at large," said Shami.
Shami said her involvement in civic politics became active when Daji’s work started increasing to all of Vasco.
“I was into social work anyway and with Daji getting more popular throughout the constituency, I was handling some of his work in his ward. So, when elections came last year, I was given the opportunity to contest from the ward, and the goodwill Daji had earned due to his work made it easier for me to win. My work or connect was there but it became relatively smoother because people knew me and Daji as well," Shami added.
