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THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA: The Congress campaign in Mapusa got a shot in the arm after a group of residents of Mapusa under the banner of ‘Concerned citizens of Mapusa’ decided to support Congress candidate Sudhir Kandolkar in the by-election of Mapusa.
The concerned citizens said Kandolkar’s more than two decades experience in municipal affairs and his assurance to fulfill proposals put forth by them tilted the balance towards the Congress candidate.
“We were always inclined towards the BJP. But since Sudhir Kandolkar is very approachable and has loads of experience we decided to back him for the by-election,” said Jawaharlal Shetye of Khorlim-Mapusa.
The Mapusa resident along with other concerned citizens was addressing a news conference in a city hotel in Mapusa on Saturday.
Continuing, Shetye alleged that outside forces (alliance partners) got involved in deciding the BJP ticket in Mapusa.
“BJP has fallen prey to vested interests. The party has not taken the local leaders and people into confidence while deciding the ticket for Mapusa,” he said.
Shetye, who is the president of the Mapusa Peoples Union and an RTI activist, stated that BJP candidate Joshua D’Souza had approached him for support during his campaign.
“When I asked him for his views on some pressing issues of Mapusa, he refused to answer and walked away,” he said.
He further said that the BJP candidate had no experience and was not active in politics even when his father, former Mapusa MLA late Francisco D’Souza was in power.
Shetye said Mapusa has not been developed for the last 20 years but only its population has increased.
“The former Mapusa MLA had good portfolios and was also deputy chief minister but failed to utilize his influence in the government to get works done for the city,” he said.
Shetye said besides assuring to prepare a Master Plan for Mapusa, Kandolkar has promised to look into the issue of encroachment in Mapusa market and to clear the footpaths so that senior citizens could walk freely on them.
Kishore Kolge and Akbar Shaikh were also present on the occasion.
