Margao: The Margao municipal election has been more of a battle of egos and anger rather than a healthy democratic exercise. Sitting councillors like Arthur D’Silva, Damu Shirodkar, Dorris Texeira, Sushila Naik and others are in fray to regain their positions.
Ward 22 will see a clash of titans. There is Damu Shirodkar of Digambar Kamat’s ‘Model Margao’, who is battling the anti-incumbency of his patron and himself. There is Arthur, who has been in the centre of criticism, and there is the BJP’s Kaustubh Kanekar, who is slogging his way out along with four other candidates.
Ward 17 will see BJP heavyweight Rupesh Mahatme face Kamat’s Dadi Mayenkar and his own party man Elvis Fernandes. Kamat has aggressively campaigned all over the ward to ensure it stays in his hands – an activity which hasn’t been seen from him for quite a while. Meanwhile, the Louis Berger case has done half the job for the BJP’s candidate. He has also campaigned door-to-door with his agenda for Malbhat. However, Elvis Fernandes is set to play catalyst as he too has considerable support from minorities and the majority.
All the women-reserved wards are being observed closely since the chairperson’s post has been reserved for women. The chairperson may well come from one of these wards.
