Taleigao constituency has been the bastion for the Monserrates from 2002 when Babush wrenched it from Somnath Zuwarkar of Congress who represented the area for a decade from 1989. Babush had won the seat under the United Goan Democratic Party. For the 2012 polls, Babush fielded his wife Jennifer who won it under Congress. However, for the Taleigao people, Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate will be their MLA even if his wife wins in the upcoming assembly polls. Except a handful of opposition, all those who have spoken to Herald have no complaint against the sitting MLA Jenifer Monserrate and even former MLA Babush.
Without complaining, a large section of people have voted for a new market complex for Taleigao and have asked to control further the construction which will bring pressure on existing infrastructure.
The vendors are sitting close to the roadside in Taleigao in the absence of a full-fledged market complex. The Sao Paulo market is not a designated market area but the vendors have utilised the open spaces since decades for trade as most of the shops are also located in the same area.
People have demanded that the market complex should be the priority for a new MLA whom they will vote for the coming assembly election.
“We understand that our MLA was in opposition for last five years but even though the work of market has to be taken up irrespective of any government this time”, said Darshan Sardesai, a local resident.
Taleigao strongman and St Cruz MLA Babush is now contesting from Panjim constituency leaving his home turf in the hands of his wife Jennifer who has already represented it for five years as an MLA. She was reportedly not actively seen taking up any issues the people were facing.
Some people are in a dual mindset whether Babush will be able to devote his time for Taleigao or will sideline it. But Taleigao is his home ground and he has to take care of his village first, some voices are claiming.
Except for broad roads and tall buildings, Taleigao constituency still lacks the basic needs despite being a neighboring village to the state’s capital. The major issues in the constituency are acute water shortage and the maintenance of the internal village roads which have not been repaired for many years.
“Controlling the rampant construction will cut down further the influx of people who are occupying residential flats in Taleigao which puts load on the present infrastructure. There should be proper planning for further development in Taleigao, only then the basic needs, like potable water supply, will be sufficient”, said another Taleigao resident Adarsh Shettigar.
Taleigao residents have often been protesting demanding proper supply of water and repair of roads, which is another area of concern. The internal roads need repairs and widening which has not been undertaken despite demands, say residents.
The work of central sewage pipeline is also pending since years as per locals, which is also one more demand of the locals to take it on priority.
The constituency has approximately 26,000 voters, some of whom are a floating population residing in apartments. The constituency has only one panchayat and nine City Corporation of Panaji (CCP) wards.
Since 2002, Taleigao has been represented by Monserrate and his wife in the State assembly. The 2017 polls will see at least three candidates with Jennifer Monserrate in the fray, BJP’s candidate Dattaprasad Naik and AAP’s Cecile Rodrigues.
Besides roads and water shortage there is another major problem of contamination of sewage in the potable water supply due to the unplanned real estate growth in Taleigao.
There are no complaints about garbage collection in Taleigao but its treatment at Taleigao plateau is the issue, as garbage has piled up at the site.
As Taleigao is also known for the cultivation of vegetables, farmers are forced to sell their product on the road side. Farmers have been regular in cultivating various crops but they complain that the schemes of government haven’t reached them yet.
