MARGAO
The Vibrant Margao panel floated by the BJP may have to grapple with more than one candidate from the camp contesting the election from Ward No. 7.
While the panel had fielded Milagrina Gomes from Ward No. 7 when the seat was reserved for ST (women), party candidate from Ward No. 5 and former Chairperson Arthur D’Silva has now set his eyes on Ward No. 7.
Party leaders, including Chairman of Vibrant Margao Damu Naik is gapping with the prospects of both Milagrina Gomes and Arthur D’Silva contesting from Ward No. 7 in the ensuing election.
Initially, Arthur had prepared the ground to contest from Ward No. 5 by taking up road and other works in the ward. However, after Ward No. 5 was reserved for women post-SC judgement, Arthur preferred to return to his home ward, Ward No. 7 since it was opened for the general category.
Arthur, who had won from Ward No. 7 in the 2010 Municipal election has kicked off his campaign. Not to be left behind, Milagrina Gomes who had started her camp before the judgement from the Apex court is going ahead with her plans to contest from the ward.
When The Goan brought the unusual situation to the notice of Vibrant Margao panel Chairman Damu Naik, he went on to say that the panel had fielded Milagrina Gomes from Ward No. 7 and there’s no change in the position post-SC judgement. “Not only Miagrina, but even I have moved around in Ward No. 7 in support of her. In such a situation, Milagrina will be the panel’s candidate from the ward,” Damu said.
Damu added: “I have no comments to offer on Arthur’s decision to contest from the same ward”.
