MARGAO
The ensuing June 11 election for the panchayat bodies may not be fought on political banners. Welcome, however, to Benaulim, where sitting Benaulim MLA Churchill Alemao is bracing up to field a panel of candidates, but may face a challenge of sorts from his new political rival, the Aam Admi Party. In fact, the runners up to the February 4 Assembly polls appear set to checkmate the MLA’s plan to field candidates in all the panchayat bodies in Benaulim constituency.
With Churchill’s old time rival and ex-Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva playing a wait and watch game, Aam Admi Party volunteers appear to be gearing up to face the Benaulim MLA’s challenge in the ensuing panchayat polls.
The NCP Benaulim MLA has not lost a single opportunity to convey to the people of Benaulim his plans to field candidates in the June 11 panchayat election. Churchill has used every platform in his constituency, seeking support for his panel of candidates in the forthcoming election on the premise that it would help usher in development if the panchayat bodies are ruled by panels owing allegiance to the MLA.
Aam Admi Party Benaulim co-ordinator Rodney Almeida asserted that the party will certainly have candidates in the coming election. “Though the party leaders will be meeting next week to discuss and deliberate on the strategy for the ensuing polls, one thing is clear - that the party would certainly back candidates willing to contest the election,” Rodney said.
Aam Admi Party candidate in the 2017 Assembly poll, Royla Fernandes, who rose to become the Sarpanch of Benaulim in the current term, made it clear that though the panchayat polls are not fought on party lines, party volunteers and supporters would be in the fray in the election. ‘I personally don’t believe that political parties should dabble in grass root politics. Elections for the panchayat bodies should be left for the people to contest. Hence, we have decided to only back good candidates in the election,” Royla said.
She pointed out that party volunteers and supporters may throw their hat in the ring in the panchayat areas which received strong backing from the people in the Assembly election. However, in areas such as Benaulim, where the AAP candidate did not put up a good show, the party may not be opposed in deciding on the candidates with like-minded individuals.
Churchill Alemao made a return to Benaulim constituency after a gap of 15 years in style with a comfortable margin. The Aam Admi party, however, put up a good show, with Royla not only finishing second in the final tally, but the party making its presence felt in villages such as Carmona, Seraulim and others.
The Benaulim constituency comprises of the villages of Cavelossim, Carmona, Orlim, Varca, Benaulim, Colva and Seraulim. Presently, Churchill has his men controlling the affairs of the major panchayats of Benaulim, Colva and Carmona.
