Hailing from Paroda village falling in neighbouring Guirdolim constituency, Clafacio had jumped in the fray in Curtorim constituency after the Guirdolim seat – which was being assiduously nursed by the former ZP chairperson – was reserved for Women (ST). Since then his opponents have not stopped calling him an “outsider” with a call to the villagers to elect a “son of the soil” in Curtorim constituency comprising villages of Curtorim, Sao Jose de Areal and Macazana with around 18,000 voters. The six candidates in the fray include Alexinho Da Silva, Anthony Piexote (GVP), Clafacio Dias, Conceicao Dias, Edison Cardozo and Francisco D’Costa.
Candidate and former Curtorim Sarpanch Alexinho Da Silva said the people of Curtorim are vehemently opposed to an outsider contesting the election. “I have received good response from the electorate who are opposed to an outsider contesting the election”, he said, while exuding confidence that Curtorkars will give a befitting reply to the outside candidate.
Former Macazana Sarpanch Franciso D’souza said he is contesting the election to oppose an outside candidate. “There may be many issues plaguing the constituency, but people of the constituency are capable of resolving them”, he said.
Edison Cardoso, who hails from Sao Jose de Areal village, said one issue the people of the constituency are wary of is the presence of Clafacio in the fray. “We are not making any issues. It is the people who are opposed to any outsider contesting the polls from Curtorim”, Edison said.
GVP candidate Anthony Piexote says that people of Curtorim will have to change two buses to meet Clafacio at Paroda in the event of his victory. “The people of Curtoirm will give vent to their anger and feelings on the polling day”, he said.
Clafacio, however, remains unfazed. “Only the candidates and their close aides are making an issue out of a non-issue. I have confidence in the people of Curtorim since I had never sent them empty handed over the years whenever they had approached me for any sponsorships. These candidates have no issues to go to the people and hence are raking my outsider status”, He has exuded confidence that people will give a befitting reply on the polling day.
Incidentally, Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco is maintaining a stoic silence as far as his support to the contesting candidates is concerned. When Herald contacted the MLA, he merely said the people of Curtorim will decide on their choice of candidate. “People have told me that ex-CM Manohar Parrikar has made it to the Lok Sabha from UP. People will decide on the outsider, insider status of the candidates”, he said.
Though the Curtorim MLA has so far not publicly aligned himself with any of the six candidates, most of the panchayat members of the Curtorim village panchayat have thrown their weight behind Clafacio’s candidature.
