PANAJI
The three first-time Tiswadi MLAs from Cumbarjua, St Andre and St Cruz will be handling their first panchayat elections as legislators and the three seem to have adopted different approaches.
Cumbarjua MLA Rajesh Faldessai is going full throttle in his bid to capture control of all the seven panchayats in his constituency by fielding panels in all the panchayats while extending open backing to his candidates.
When questioned by The Goan on the issue, Faldessai exuded confidence that he will get majority of his candidates elected in all the panchayats. “There is no doubt that I will have my panels elected in all panchayats,” the MLA added.
For St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar, though, there are limitations as he has been able to field full panels in only a few panchayats as he has been unable to get candidates in many wards. One such ward was from Agassaim wherein former MLA Silveira’s nephew got elected unopposed.
Borkar informed The Goan that he has concentrated his energies only in those areas where the Revolutionary Goans Party’s candidates are strong, particularly in Azossim-Mandur, Batim and Curca.
“In those areas where we are not strong or where we could not find any suitable candidate, we have not fielded anybody,” he informed while stating that in his hometown Neura he has not interfered at all as majority of the candidates contesting are known to him.
On the other side, though, St Cruz MLA Rudolf Fernandes seems to have adopted a safe strategy by not fielding any panel in the three panchayats in his constituency.
“I have not fielded any panel as such in the three panchayats of Santa Cruz, Merces and Chimbel as in many wards, there are multiple of my supporters who are contesting. So, it would not be prudent for me to support one particular candidate as the others would get hurt,” Fernandes added.
But, in the same tone he added that he is openly supporting some candidates who are contesting against candidates of his opponents.
“There are some outsiders trying to interfere in the three panchayats. Therefore I have decided to openly support candidates who are in the fray against candidates of these outsiders,” the St Cruz MLA added.
