MAPUSA
Goa Forward’s Siolim MLA Vinod Paliencar, who has been found missing from the hustle and bustle of the electioneering, on Monday said that he was waiting for the “murt” (auspicious time) to reveal his cards on his election strategy.
Paliencar also said that since he was the current MLA, he will contest the 2022 assembly elections and would declare his plans within the next two days.
“It’s my habit to wait for the murt to take important decisions. I was not getting a murt. Now, I have got one and will reveal my election plans in the next two days,” Paliencar said.
“Since I am the current MLA, it is but natural that I contest the election. In the next two days, I will clear my stand. But I will contest the elections,” he added.
He said he will also reveal his plans whether to contest on a party symbol or as an Independent candidate.
The fate of Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Paliencar hangs in balance as Parra Sarpanch Delilah Lobo has stepped the accelerator on the campaign peddle, and with the support of her influential husband, Michael Lobo is emerging as a strong contender for the Congress ticket from Siolim.
With Congress and GFP having decided to go into the 2022 election as alliance partners, chances are as good as over for GFP to claim the Siolim seat.
Paliencar, however, refused to accept that GFP president Vijai Sardessai failed to insure the seat for him.
“I don’t blame anyone. In 2017, I got elected on my strength, a large chunk of which were personal votes. GFP had backed us,” he said.
The MLA further said that he has done a lot of work in Siolim during the five-year term and more importantly has not taken any step against the wishes of the people.
Sources informed that most of the panchayat members who have been backing the Siolim MLA in the 2017 election have deserted him and are now seen campaigning for Delilah.
But Paliencar remained unfazed and said that support of panchayat members does not always ensure a person winning an election.
“It does not bother me whether the panch members from various panchayats in the constituency are with me or not. Everyone knows in the 2017 assembly elections most of the panch members supported former minister Dayanand Mandrekar but yet he lost the seat against me,” he said.
