Isidore Fernandes with Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai.
CANACONA
As a former minister and a former legislator for four terms, Isidore Fernandes has been one of the central figures in the political landscape of Canacona.
His entry into the Goa Forward Party (GFP) shortly ahead of the Zilla Panahayat elections, and especially after being out of active politics, has ruffled feathers not only among his opponents but within alliance parties opposed to the BJP as well.
The Poinguinim ZP constituency comprises the panchayats of Poinguinim, Gaondongrem, Khotigao and Loliem-Polem, while the Khola ZP constituency consists of the panchayats of Khola, Agonda and Shristahal. At present, both ZP (Khola) member Shanu Velip and ZP (Poinguinim) member Shobana Velip are from the BJP.
Incidentally, Gaondongrim and Khotigao are two villages in Canacona taluka which have rallied behind Isidore, giving him a lead in every election he has fought, either as a Congress, BJP or independent candidate.
When contacted, Isidore Fernandes made it clear that his one-point agenda for joining the Goa Forward Party is to work for the success of the Goa Forward Party’s Poinguinim ZP candidate, Prashant Naik. Isidore said he is already actively preparing for the ZP elections on December 20.
“On Saturday, I convened a meeting of my supporters at Gaondogrim Panchayat hall to chalk out our election campaign. I will work to my full capacity to defeat the BJP and see that GFP’s alliance candidate Prashant Naik gets elected as the Zilla Panchayat member from Poinguinim ZP constituency.
Despite being out of active politics for some time, Isidore was confident that his active involvement would make a difference in elections to both ZP seats in Canacona. “My voter strength is in my home village of Loliem-Polem, Poinguinim, Gaondongrim and Khotigao, and the new hearts I have won in Shrishtal and Agonda during 2012 and 2017. These votes will be my contribution to ensure the success of the Poinguinim and Khola ZP seats to be contested by the GFP and its alliance partner.”
"All my supporters and voters who have traditionally voted for me for the last several elections will strongly rally behind me to support and vote for the GFP candidate (Naik)."
However, not everything has worked in Isidore’s favour. In a setback to Isidore, former Khotigao sarpanch Daya Gaonkar, who had been Isidore’s staunch supporter with a mass base, has declared that he would contest as an independent candidate in case the Congress-GFP alliance hands over the Poinguinim ZP ticket to the GFP.
If that happens, Gaonkar is expected to dent Isidore’s influence in the twin villages of Khotigao and Gaondongrim. What has also gone against Isidore is the departure of another of his staunch supporters, former Khotigao sarpanch Rajesh Gaonkar. Rajesh Gaonkar, a vocal critic of the BJP, has been finalised as the candidate of AAP, following his recent entry into the party.
Though the alliance partners are yet to finalise a candidate for the Khola ZP polls, sources said AAP is serious about fielding its own candidate for the Khola ZP seat.
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BJP hoping to win, retain both ZP seats
CANACONA: With the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Partagali Math on Friday, the BJP has been upbeat in Canacona taluka and is confident of retaining both Poinguinim and Khola ZP seats in Canacona taluka.
The present Poinguinim ZP member, Shobhana Gaonkar, had been elected on the BJP ticket but does not enjoy good relations with Minister and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar, and a new BJP candidate is expected to contest the Poinguinim ZP seat, which is not reserved and now open to the general category.
According to sources, while former Deputy CM Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar is keen to select a BJP candidate for the Khola ZP seat (reserved for OBC candidates), as Khola panchayat falls in Quepem constituency, Tawadkar is also likely to impose his weight in finalising the Khola BJP candidate, as two of the three panchayats comprising the Khola ZP seat – Agonda and Shristhal – fall under Canacona constituency.
While Kavlekar is reportedly likely to recommend a new face and not retain the sitting Khola ZP member Khola Shanu Velip, Tawadkar is reportedly planning to finalise an OBC candidate from Agonda panchayat.
