BJP locked in a battle for prestige at Margao ward 20

BJP locked in a battle for prestige at Margao ward 20
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, OCT 23
Elections to Ward No 20 of the Margao Municipal Council has virtually turned a prestige issue for the BJP, even as two close supporters of Chief Minister Digambar Kamat are crossing swords against each other in this ward.
BJP leader and the party’s face in the Margao Civic body, Rupesh Mahatme has joined the electoral fray in ward no 20 after his ward No 15 was reserved for OBC this time.
Holding the chief minister responsible for reserving his ward for OBC only to prevent Mahatme from contesting the polls, the BJP is going all out to prove to the powers that be that manipulation will not in any way erode the party’s base in ward no 20.
For Mahatme – a former MMC Councillor between 2000 and 2005 – the elections are much more than making a comeback to the Civic body. For, he had nursed the ambition of making it to the Goa Legislative Assembly and any setback in the civic polls would certainly have a telling effect on his political future.
 “My party and supporters told me to contest from Ward No 20. My support base is the people of the ward. I have received overwhelming support from the people of the ward,” said Mahatme.
The former councillor said the BJP would provide a corruption-free and stable council for the next five years. “The image of the council was tarnished last in the five years due to corruption.”
What might come as a welcome development for the BJP is the presence of two close supporters of the chief minister in the fray. Both Damu Shirodkar and Andrew Sequeira are locked in a fierce battle and are leaving no stone unturned to woo the electorate in their favour.
Says Damu Shirodkar: “My candidature has the backing of the chief minister. I was not supposed to contest the polls, but did so at the instance of my supporters and well wishers. I have been involved in social work for the last 14-16 year. My work at the grass root level will keep me in good stead.”
Another candidate in the fray Savio Mascarenhas has withdrawn from the fray and has appealed to his supporters to support Damu’s candidature.
Andrew Sequeira says he has decided to plunge into municipal politics to usher in development of the ward. “I will fulfill the aspirations of the people of my ward with the help of the Chief Minister. Kamat has supported me to help out the people. My immediate plan is to clean up the garbage from the ward – long neglected by the civic body.”