MARGAO
All eyes will be focused on Salcete in the February 4 Assembly election not just because the taluka plays host to as many as eight seats, but a host of political figures will be throwing their hat in the electoral ring, including chief ministerial candidates and top leaders of political parties.
In fact, as many as three chief ministerial candidates will be contesting the ensuing election from Salcete, besides leaders of the Salcete-based regional outfits “ Goa Forward party and the Goa Su Raj party. And, not to mention the couple of political heavyweights, Churchill Alemao, Alexio Sequeira, Filipe Neri Rodrigues and Joaquim Alemao who were humbled in the last election, but are making a determined comeback in at least four seats.
Amongst the lot, the Aam Admi party has already declared state coordinator Elvis Gomes as the party chief ministerial candidate. With Congress president Luizinho Faleiro finally ending his two-year long silence on contesting from his home constituency, he and former Congress chief minister, Digambar Kamat are expected to vie for the top slot if the Congress returns back to power.
GPCC President, Luizinho Faleiro: Navelim is back in the news with former chief minister, Luizinho Faleiro finally deciding to take the electoral plunge after a decade. Huge stakes are attached in Navelim, for the simple reason that Faleiro is not just the state Congress president, but is perceived in party quarters as a probable chief ministerial candidate if he gets elected and the Congress returns back to power in the coming election.
AAP coordinator, Elvis Gomes: The Cuncolim Assembly seat has suddenly turned high profile after Elvis quit government to join politics.
His elevation as the party state Coordinator and chief ministerial candidate has brought Cuncolim under focus.
Elvis will have to wait for the Congress to unveil its candidate for Cuncolim before redrawing his strategy and launch a full scale campaign.
Goa Forward party mentor, Vijai Sardesai: The first time MLA will be in focus as he takes over the mantle of the regional party in the run up to the election. Elected as an Independent in 2012, Sardesai and Fatorda have indeed come under the political scanner ahead of the election. Sardesai’s electoral prospects are the much talked about subject in Fatorda and outside with or without alliance with the Congress.
Goa Su Raj Party leader, Mickky Pacheco: His decision to quit the Goa Vikas Party and embrace the Goa Su Raj Party is perceived as a move to leave behind the “BJP” tag attached to him after supporting the BJP-led government during the last four years. Mickky has never faced any defeat since his electoral debut in 2002 and the ensuing election will be an acid test to his career spanning over a decade.
Congress leader, Digambar Kamat: More than his battle against old rivals, BJP in Margao, the former Chief Minister is closely watched by his friends and foes both within the Congress and outside.
That he is not averse in playing an active role in the party is seen in many quarters as his overt and covert bid to make his way and remain in contention for the chief minister’s post.
A strong contender for the top slot in case the Congress falls short of the required numbers.
NCP leader Churchill Alemao: After the rout of the Alemao clan in the 2012 election, former PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao has been slowly and steadily trying to make a political comeback from his old constituency Benaulim.
He is one leader, who will be keenly watched as his old friends in the Congress are working overtime to unite the opposition forces in Benaulim to stop his return.
