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Cong announces first list of 22 candidates
February 5, 2012
A list of defining decisions
PRINCELY PUNCH: Tickets to Dayanand Sopte and rajesh patnekar: The prince of Sattari Vishwajit Rane finally had his way, Rahul Gandhi be damned. The junior Gandhi’s remark that defectors to congress need to work in the party first fell on deaf years
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mami not dearest: Victoria “Mami” Fernandes, dropped after winning the past elections from St Cruz
Kickback King gets a ‘hand’: Babush Monserrate replaces Mami as the shadow of he receiving bribes for Regional Plan land conversions lingers
cortalim chromosome: Caetano Xavier congress candidate. Mauvin Godinho had his way in a seat which was “non negotiable” for NCP. However, mauvin may have done a deal with Mickky Pacheco to field a weak candidate in lieu of Mickky’s help in Dabolim.
PANJIM: The Congress announced its first list of 22 candidates, with expected shocks, setting of a series of rebellions that could throw its campaign into disarray. The Congress party’s campaign manager Mauvin Godinho though said that victory for the Congress was a foregone conclusion, a comment which will be severalty tested over the next 30 days.
Ruling the list were defectors and the tainted. The biggest surprise of the announcement was that of Victoria Fernandes being left out. Victoria was the only lady in the 40-member Assembly.
What is even more surprising was that Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate, who is in the eye of the storm over the Rs 26.58 cr land conversion scam, has been nominated on the Congress ticket.
Monserrate’s wife Jennifer is most likely to get the Taleigao ticket in the second phase of announcement.
After intense speculation over giving tickets to defectors, Vishwajit Rane’s political muscle flexing worked with both his candidates Dayanand Sopte and Rajesh Patnekar getting tickets from Mandrem and Bicholim.
Except for Victoria, majority of sitting MLAs have been nominated again from their respective constituencies. (see table)
However, the fate of Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar and Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginald is still undecided.
As reported by Herald, the Congress also granted tickets to Caetano Xavier from Cortalim despite NCP staking its claim for the seat.
As expected CCP Mayor Yatin Parekh will be fielded from Panjim constituency against Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar.
These are the only two new faces in the list of 22.
The list was formally announced by GPCC President Subash Shirodkar and Congress election Campaign manager Mauvin Godinho, on Saturday.
When asked why Victoria was denied ticket, Shirodkar said, “I think Victoria was a deserving candidate but the High Command decided in favour of a change.”
“Victoria is a loyal Congress soldier and she must bear with us this time. Maybe she will get her chance again,” he stated adding “the women candidates will get a representation in the next list but I cannot say how many”.
The remaining seats, Shirodkar said, would be announced in next 24 to 48 hours.
“Seven seats have been given to NCP and the remaining 11 seats will be announced by tomorrow,” he said.
He, however, had no answers when asked which are the seats given to NCP.
“There are still negotiations on with regards Mayem, Sanvordem, Siolim and Porvorim,” he said suggesting that the issue would be sorted by this evening.
Sonia endorses Babush’s candidature
Despite several cases against him including the recent Rs 26-cr land conversion scam the Congress decided to grant ticket to the controversial Atanasio Monserrate from St Cruz.
If the party sources are to be believed his name figured as candidate for Taleigao in the list until 10 pm on Friday night and at the last minute it was changed.
“The list has been cleared by the AICC president and we have nothing to say about it,” said GPCC President Subash Shirodkar when asked why Monserrate was granted ticket from St Cruz despite his involvement in several scams.
Shirodkar stated that the Congress president has taken everything into consideration before deciding on the ticket.
“These are just allegations which are yet to be proven and the Congress party will allow the law to take its own course,” he said.
No decision on family tickets yet
The Congress has yet not touched the issue of dynasty politics.
While the list of 22 candidates were announced but the party has not yet decided on the tickets demanded by MLAs for their children’s and family members.
Home Minister Ravi Naik has asked for a ticket to his son Riteish Naik from Madkai, Churchill Alemao wants to field daughter Valanka from Benaulim, Joaquim Alemao demanded ticket for son Yuri from Sanguem and Babush has asked for a ticket for his wife from Taleigao.
Shirodkar said that this issue will be decided within a day when the next list is decided.
“The High Command is looking into pros and cons of all this and will arrive at a suitable decision,” he said.
Quote room
The Congress will pay the price for the grave injustice done to me.
Victoria Fernandes (St Cruz)
Am deeply disappointed. Will not support Sopte. The Cong has no emphasis on loyalty. Will discuss with party workers before deciding on contesting as an Independent.
Sameer Salgaocar (Mandrem)
At any cost, I will surely fight the elections whether with the party or as an independent.
