MARGAO
Come election and many a candidate will not proceed to the Returning Officer to file their nomination papers before invoking the blessings of the Almighty, so to say.
This throws up a moot question whether there’s any special reason why candidates may queue up before the Returning Officers across the State to file their nomination papers for the February 4 Assembly election on January 16?
Well, January 16 is considered by many a political parties and candidates as auspicious for a host of reasons. For the Hindus from Margao and surrounding areas, Monday is dedicated to Lord Dambab, the city’s presiding diety and candidates from the majority community are expected to file their nomination papers on that day.
Incidentally, January 16 is the Feast of St Jose Vaz, which is being celebrated not only at Sancoale, but in other parts of the State as well by the Catholics.
That’s not all. The Opinion Poll Day falls on January 16 and many a political parties and candidates are bracing up to file their nomination papers on that day.
Goa Forward Party mentor Vijai Sardesai has said that party candidates will file their nomination papers on Opinion Poll Day on January 16. “January 16 is an auspicious day for Goans. It was on this day that Goa’s identity was saved by the people of Goa in the historic Opinion Poll. The Goa Forward Party now considers the February 4 election as a second opinion poll to save Goem, Goemkars and Goemkarponn," he added.
President of the Nationalist Congress Party Jose Philip D’Souza echoed similar sentiments. “January 16 is auspicious for Goans since the day will be commemorated as Opinion Poll Day. The feast of St Jose Vaz also falls on that day. Our candidates will file their nomination papers on that day," he added.
Jose Philip informed that the party candidates will file nomination papers for a number of seats on Monday in the event there’s no alliance with the Congress.
Many a candidate, including Joaquim Alemao and others are also expected to file their papers on Monday.
However, many a candidate may make their presence felt before the Returning Officers on Tuesday as the day is dedicated to St Anthony. Sources said that Congress candidate for the Velim seat and former three-time MLA Filipe Neri Rodrigues may file his papers on Tuesday, the day dedicated to St Anthony.
