CANACONA
In a setback to former minister Isidore Fernandes, who recently joined the Goa Forward Party to campaign for the GFP candidate at the ZP polls, one of his close aides and Loliem-Polem ex-sarpanch Shailesh Pagui has decided to contest the Poinguinim ZP elections independently.
“I have served the people of Loliem-Polem from 2012 till 2022 and during this period I successfully confronted several attempts to destroy the environment. I have a strong desire to protect the environment for posterity,” said Pagui, a Pagi community leader, while addressing a news conference.
“People, and particularly the youth, have persuaded me to contest ZP elections and they do not want parties to represent their aspirations and concerns. I have decided to contest for the betterment of people particularly living in rural areas and be their “voice” to save the environment and stop ecological disasters.”
“I have resumed my campaign in all villages under the Poinguinim ZP seat and will file my nomination papers as the “people’s candidate” on Monday. People are my leaders, and I don’t need political godfathers.”
Pagui said Isidore Fernandes’ entry into the GFP did not augur well especially since the GFP had been one of his main critics during his last stint as MLA.
