Cong, BJP gang up against Jose Philip candidates!
HERALD REPORTER
VASCO, OCT 25
While the Congress and BJP may be at loggerheads in the State and at the Centre, they seem to have one common goal at the Mormugao Municipal Council polls — to defeat candidates fielded by Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza.
Such has been the desire to oust candidates backed by the revenue minister, that some BJP candidates have allegedly supported candidates backed by Congress heavyweight and Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho Mauvin Godinho and vice versa.
Incidentally, control over Wards 18, 19 and 20 in the newly formed Dabolim constituency is crucial to all three parties (Congress, NCP and BJP), as these three wards could easily determine the outcome of the next assembly election in the constituency.
In Vasco constituency, where D’Souza has a major stake, his wife Neny and elder bother Pascoal will fight it out against husband-wife duo of Anil Chopdekar and Anita. “I don’t understand why Godinho interferes in my constituency. What is his interest?” asked Jose Philip D’Souza.
D’Souza alleged that supporters of Godinho and BJP are working against his candidates in Wards 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20.
“People are with me and it is the people who will decide and give a befitting reply to my rivals,” said a confident D’Souza.
Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho, however, refuted D’Souza’s allegation that his supporters are working with BJP supporters to defeat D’Souza’s candidates.
“If candidates are taking my name and using my goodwill to secure votes for their gain, why should I be blamed? Have you ever seen me campaigning for any candidates in any of the wards,” asked Godinho.
“If D’Souza had love for the people, he would not have promoted his family, as his wife and brother are contesting the election,” said Godinho.
BJP Spokesperson Rajendra Arlekar admitted that main purpose of the BJP is to defeat D’Souza’s candidates, but was quick to add that they had not joined hands with the Congress.
“If any one is supporting our candidates, then they are most welcome. But it is not true that Godinho and BJP are working together,” said Arlekar.
