the goan I network
MAPUSA
Change is the buzz word in Tivim constituency and Nilkant Halarnkar of the Congress appears to be the beneficiary of this yearning for change.
The battle lines are clearly drawn as the fight for the 2017 assembly polls in Tivim is between two main rivals, Kiran Kandolkar (BJP) and Nilkant Halarnkar (Congress).
Aam Admi Party’s Pradeep Gadi Amonkar pales over the giant-like status of the two traditional party rivals, while the fourth contestant NCP’s Douglas Sequeira is far behind.
From Colvale onwards to Revora, Nadora, Pirna and from Tivim to Sirsaim and Assonora, the opinion appears to be heavily loaded against the incumbent MLA.
A group of men folk at Colvale junction chatter among themselves, but election is not the topic of discussion. When confronted they all say in unison, “anga Nilkant bhai, dusreak konakuch chance nam,”. (There is no alternative here other than Nilkant Halarnkar of the Congress).
A little further a woman at the business centre echoes similar views, saying that it’s Congress versus BJP in Tivim.
“Nilkant is a preferred choice because he’s easily approachable and not a revenge-seeking type,” she said, confessing that
the current MLA ignored the voters of Colvale since they voted for Congress the
last time.
In Revora, those in sand extraction business are a disappointed lot and have clearly reigned against the nominee of the BJP. “We have never suffered so much when Congress was in power as much as under the BJP-rule,” said a local who is involved in sand extraction. “Police harassed us the most asking for bribes during the ban period,” he disclosed, adding that he would definitely vote for Congress this time.
Clearly, issues like lack of job opportunities, no development, demonetisation and ban on sand mining are on top of people’s mind.
In the interiors of the constituency, the response is mixed.
In Nadora, a village enveloped in thick vegetation, an elderly woman said she will vote for Kiran Kandolkar because he has been funding the temple expenses in the locality.
A group of youngsters near a shop, however, rooted for Congress.
“Nilkant is leading this side and he will definitely emerge victorious,” said a youth with aplomb.
A taxi-driver among the lot criticized the government’s demonetisation plan as he had to stop driving his taxi for more than a month due to “change” (money) problems.
The village of Pirna
which stood by Kiran Kandolkar in 2012 seems to be drifting away this time, although BJP still enjoys some clout in the
village.
“In the last election, majority of us voted for Kandolkar because of a new face and there was an anti-Congress wave. This time, things are not the same. People are looking for a change,” said a second time young voter from the village.
Similar, pro-Congress opinion resonated across Assonora, Sirsaim and Tivim villages giving Congress a clear edge.
With eight days of campaigning to go BJP may have to shift in top gear to change the mood of the voter.
But for that to happen, it will be nothing short of an uphill task for Kiran Kandolkar.
