TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: BJP’s Siddharth Kunkolienkar is likely to take Wards 26 and 28, both represented in the Corporation of the City of Panaji by party members for last three terms. With 1600 voters, the BJP has managed to strengthen its hold here in every election, be it the Assembly, Lok Sabha or civic body, with a rise in the votes every time.
The two councillors – Shubhada Dhond (Ward 26) and Nivedita Chopdekar (Ward 28) – are certain BJP will win in their wards in the February 13 by-election for the Panjim seat. While they admit that initially there were apprehensions regarding Kunkolienkar’s candidature, this was put to rest by former chief minister Manohar Parrikar, who assured Panjimites, of the same love and support from Kunkolienkar.
These two wards cover the Patto Colony and Kundaikar Nagar. “The ward is entirely dominated by BJP. The support to BJP here strengthens every passing election,” Chopdekar said. A similar reaction came from Dhond, who too said that the Kundaikar Nagar area has been a stronghold of the BJP and will continue so.
A quick round of these two wards makes it clear that people are ready to vote for the BJP, though there are many who miss their ‘bhai’. “The BJP voters here never imagined Panjim without Manoharbhai. The news is still hard to digest. But we are proud that our leader has been elevated to the Central cabinet,” Ashok Nayak (65) said admitting he has been voting for BJP for the last two decades.
Resident Suresh Naik Chopdekar asserted that BJP will have a clear win in Panjim. “BJP voters have always remained intact. More people are joining and supporting the party because the party has worked for people here,” he said.
The voters as well as the councillors have not much to demand apart from upgradation of the existing infrastructure and getting rid of the garbage menace. “We want the upgradation of the bus stand area and renovation of the existing Ambedkar Garden (near the bus stand). Also the garbage issue needs to be dealt with seriously,” Chopdekar said.
Kunkolienkar will face Congress candidate Surendra Furtado in the by-poll and Samir Kelekar who is contesting as an Independent.
