Team Herald
PONDA: Is it a Kramer versus Kramer situation? Not quite… but it’s surely interesting. The battle has not only gone down to the wire, it’s actually getting more interesting ’coz it’s a battle between the sons of former chief ministers: Vishwajit Rane versus Roy Naik. The simmering tension can be felt. People of Valpoi and Usgao are almost at the edge of their seats. In fact, entire Goa will be watching this ‘match’ keenly.
Many are saying that for Rane Junior it may not be that easy, instead it will get tougher than what it was in the February Assembly elections.
For the past three elections, Rane Junior had retained his hold over Valpoi with a Congress ticket but this time round, the Ground Zero pulse rate says a different story. It is a general feeling that Roy Naik would put up a formidable fight and pose a challenge to Rane Junior.
“Pedigree-wise” both have a rich culture and experience owing to the fact that both their fathers were former Chief Ministers. This would boost the prospects of both and hence the battle would get tougher.
Even after Rane Junior had switched sides and changed his jersey, many thought during the early days that it would be an easy task for him. But as time went by, Roy Naik’s prospects began to bloom and now the scenario is poised interestingly.
As the days went by, Roy Naik virtually came from the behind and his fortunes have been bolstered following his father and former chief minister, Ravi Naik’s participation in Roy Naik’s campaigning. Roy Naik’s strike rate is now a decent one.
The backward areas, with least development, will be a key factor. Many in Usgao feel that nothing much happened in terms of development ever since Ravi Naik had gone. These sentiments have echoed in public meetings.
Former Congressman Vishwajit Rane who may have a stronghold on Valpoi, will have to focus hard on development issues.
With Ravi Naik entering the campaigning, the sentiments and equations have also changed. People, especially old timers, are feeling nostalgic with Naik Senior around. Even migrant voters have a connect with the Naik Parivar so to say.
Though Valpoi constituency has around 28,000 voters with five panchayats Usgao, Guleli, Khotoda, Savordem, Nagargao and one Municipality with around 16,000 votes, Usgao Panchayat has 11800 votes due to which it is said among people that Usgao locals will play a decisive role.
