MARGAO
Margao Municipal Ward No. 18. This ward falling in the Margao area of the civic body has been the cynosure of all eyes in the run-up to the municipal polls.
The reason was not far too seek. Here, Aquemkars in particular and Madgavkars in general seriously believed that Yogiraj, son of Leader of Opposition, Digambar Kamat, would take a plunge in electoral politics in the ensuing civic elections.
In fact, Jr Kamat’s political future has been the subject of intense discussions in the nook and corner of Aquem, more so in Ward No 18 after Yogiraj descended on the ground during the Covid-19 pandemic to lend a helping hand to the needy.
His father, however, trod a cautious path all along, when the media questioned him on his son’s foray in politics in the ensuing municipal polls, not so much that Yogiraj was not averse in taking a plunge in politics, but more because of the sword of reservations hanging over the head of prospective candidates.
Kamat knew for sure that he is in the opposition and cannot play any role in the reservation of wards. Though many a close aide confirmed that Yogiraj was bracing up to join electoral politics in the municipal polls, Kamat repeatedly declined to comment on son throwing his hat in the electoral ring, fearing that the powers that be may reserve Ward No 18 for OBC or women.
And, this is exactly what happened on Friday when the government unveiled the ward reservations as ward No 18 was reserved for OBC in the coming polls, ruling out Yogiraj from contesting the ensuing election from this ward.
“I had this apprehension that the ward will be in reserved category to scuttle son’s plans to contest the polls. Yogiraj did not give a serious thought to contest the municipal polls, but the supporters were after my son to take a plunge in electoral politics,” Kamat said. He, however, said it is purely for his son to take a call on entering politics.
