NAVELIM: Navelim is a very strange case in Salcete. When the general mood in the taluka is one of dejection with the BJP, as people blame the government for non-delivery of promises, the independents and new parties have a different target – Luizinho Faleiro, the Congress frontrunner for CM. As Herald reporters travelled through Navelim, there were no anti-BJP speeches heard, no mention of the grounds of attack against the BJP, like the party’s U-turns or false promises, by the candidates of Goa Forward, GVP, and the Independent Duarte Pires.
The hand of the BJP is clearly seen in the moves where their candidate is protected and votes are split. Even in a place like Navelim, it was surprising that a critical issue like the non implementation of the Regional Plan, is not a poll issue, for these forces, especially since the biggest concern is of un-checked growth and construction violating all norms.
Independent candidate Edwin alias Cipru Cardoso has got the open backing of Goa Forward, as it attacks Faleiro. Veteran speakers like Mohandas Lolyenkar, Prashant Naik and Prabhakar Timble, all associated with the Goa Forward Party are addressing his meetings and they only target Faleiro while not saying a word against Avertano Furtado. It is obvious, according to locals that the BJP is completely in sync with these moves.
It may be recalled that a case of disqualification has been filed with the State Election Commissioner, against Cipru for obtaining a caste certificate by swearing a false affidavit wherein he did not disclose his actual income.
In fact, two of Vijai Sardesai’s close associates are practically camped in Navelim meeting various people and canvassing against Faleiro. Faleiro meanwhile has stated that he will have no post poll alliances with Goa Forward.
Meanwhile this polarisation could have another fallout, a consolidation of majority votes towards the MGP’s Satyavijay Naik. While all these candidates are battling for the anti-BJP votes in the constituency, it is quite possible that Naik could move the anti-BJP majority vote towards him
The dirty tricks department working against Faleiro is in full operation. It is learnt that they are also blocking meeting avenues with the sole intention of denying them to him.
For example Navelim Village Panchayat vide its letter dated January 27, 2017 had given its no objection to Kissan Phadte, Luizinho’s election agent, to hold a meeting at Dr Francisco Luis Gomes ground at Navelim on January 29 from 6 pm to 10 pm.
Following this no objection, Faleiro’s office proceeded to obtain other permissions as required from the police, returning officer, etc. However, the very next day the Panchayat withdrew the NOC on grounds that it had already issued a NOC on January 17, 2017 to one Duarte Pires for holding a meeting at the same time and date at a place very close to Dr Francisco Luis Gomes ground.
Ironically, Pires did not hold any meeting on January 29 and enquiries revealed that neither did he seek permission from any other authority to hold the meeting thereby clearly indicating that the venue was booked just to deny it to Faleiro.
It is also politically important to realise that the Navelim result will determine the choice of the Congress Legislature Party leader and potential Chef Minister. In the still very unlikely event of him loosing the seat, there is every likelihood that Faleiro baiters in the Congress would savour this to be in the leadership line. The mining lobby which is clearly behind the anti-Faleiro move is trying to work towards this.
