Politicians vying for tickets for friends too
SURAJ NANDREKAR
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PANJIM: It’s not just the tickets for family members anymore but for friends too. Yes, the Congress and its alliance partner members are vying for tickets for their near and dear ones.
Herald takes a look at the politicians who are desperately trying to fetch a ticket for their friends to flex their muscles in times of need.
We start with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, who is trying his best to get a Congress ticket in Mandrem for industrialist Samir Salgaocar and so also BJP legislator Vijay Pai Khot, who is yet to be inducted into the Congress.
While Samir’s ticket seems to be almost done, Khot’s entry has been blocked due to revolt from Daya Pagi and Isidore Fernandes.
It is known to all that Churchill and Joaquim Alemao are vying for tickets for daughter Valanka and son Yuri Alemao.
While Valanka seems to be through for Benaulim, Yuri might have to settle for NCP ticket in Sanguem constituency.
When there is a talk on tickets, how can we leave behind the masterminds of Goan politics – Babush Monseratte and Vishwajit Rane?
Babush, besides a ticket for his wife Jennifer from either St Cruz or Taleigao, also wants to field Isidore Fernandes in Canacona, Somnath Zuwarkar in Panjim and Rudresh Chodankar in Mayem. But it looks very unlikely that all his demands would be met.
Vishwajit’s plans are known to one and all as he wants Bicholim and Mandrem tickets for BJP imports Rajesh Patnekar and Dayanand Sopte. He is also trying hard for Mayem ticket for Pravin Zantye and Siolim for Uday Palyekar.
While Patnekar may be just lucky enough to scrape through, Sopte may just not make it.
Deputy Speaker and chief of Congress’ election campaign Mauvin Godinho seems to be confused himself as he wants one ticket for three people.
Initially, he recommended Congress ticket for Raymond de Sa and later decided to promote Congress Mahila Chief Cynthia and now he has changed over to Xavier Antao.
Nonetheless, he may not have to do much as the Cortalim seat may go to NCP, where Jose Philip wants a party ticket for Ramakant Borkar.
Calangute MLA Agnel Fernandes is also in fray for more than one ticket. He is vying for a Congress ticket from Saligao for his friend Jayesh Salgaocar but since the seat will go to alliance partner NCP, Agnel is now trying his best to get party ticket for Jayesh – which is very unlikely though as NCP has almost finalised its candidate in the constituency.
Congress President Subash Shirodkar, who initially wanted to field his daughter Divya in the elections, has now decided against the move and seems to be now favouring Jitendra Deshprabhu’s candidature in Porvorim.
When asked for his comments on the MLAs and politicians demanding tickets for family members and friends, Shirodkar said “nothing is decided so far, the screening as well as the Central Election Committee will take a call on the issue.”
