TEAM HERALD
CORTALIM: Zilla Panchayat members have been complaining of limited powers and responsibilities, but that has not stopped candidates from venturing into the election race using sophisticated means to canvass.
In Cortalim, for instance one of the candidates has gone hi-tech using a big digital screen in her constituency, apart from door-to-door canvassing. However, others have preferred the traditional mode of canvassing, by conducting house-to-house visits and corner meetings.
The use of mobile phones and other technology, including social/online networking facilities like WhatsApp, has also become popular tools for campaigning.
While all the four candidates – Cintia D’Silva, Anthony Vaz, Anthony Miranda and Lupino Xavier – have entered the panchayat electoral fray in the past, Olancio Simoes of BJP however is a new entrant in electoral politics.
Speaking to Herald, Simoes said he has involved in many issues particularly involving those of fishermen and the CRZ. He however discounted fears of any backlash since he was contesting on BJP ticket.
“I have been getting good response from my constituents and they have accepted me,” Simoes told Herald.
Meanwhile, sitting ZP candidate Cintia D’Silva expressed confidence of retaining the seat. “I am getting good response since people have seen my work,” D’Silva told Herald.
Former Cortalim-Quelossim sarpanch Anthony Miranda said people know him and the social work that he had done for the past 30 years.
Anthony Vaz who has also served as panch and sarpanch of Cortalim-Quelossim and who was a BJP candidate for 2002 Assembly polls is confident that people will elect him. Vaz has, however, made it clear that he is an independent candidate with no links to the BJP. “It is only a rumour that I have been fielded by the BJP so as to spoil my winning chances,” Vaz told Herald.
Lupino Xavier, who is seen as the face of Quelossim people for his fight against illegalities in his village, is expected to put up a good show in Quelossim. “My work in Quelossim has been appreciated by the voters and from other parts of the constituency as well,” informed Xavier.
