But, the “hidden hand” of the Congress is very much visible and working overtime in most of the ZP constituencies in Salcete and elsewhere too. Leave alone the contesting candidates, local party leaders and workers are positioning themselves to take on the BJP-GVP combine in minority-dominated Salcete with just eight days to go for the ZP polls.
Sources said that many a contesting candidate has called on PCC Chief Luizinho Faleiro seeking his blessing and that of the Congress party in support of their candidature. That Luchel Caminho de Monte – Faleiro’s official residence – had been bustling with political activity in the run up to the filing of nomination papers till the last date of withdrawal has been an open secret. The Faleiro factor also played a role in getting his strong man from Davorlim Atul Verlekar withdrawn from the fray on Monday. Atul, sources said, took the call to withdraw from the fray after supporters of independent candidate Leon Raikar called on him to forge a consensus candidate.
Herald understands that the residence of the PCC president also hosted meetings of party workers left in the fray as independents. It is learnt that the Congress leadership from Velim, including former minister and party vice-president, Filipe Neri Rodrigues, General Secretary Joe Dias called on him with two aspiring candidates after a consensus eluded the local workers.
Nuvem ZP candidate Wilfred D’Sa has openly identified himself with the Congress though he has not yet embraced the party, but the party leadership has said the Congress has decided to back him to the hilt to defeat GVP candidate Marcelinho Faria.
It is learnt that Curtorim independent candidate Clafacio Dias also called on the PCC chief for party blessings and support before filing his nomination papers, while Quepem Congress legislator Babu Kavlekar and South Goa district Congress president Subhash Fal Desai has extended support to Meenaxi Gaonkar, the candidate fielded by Clafacio in Guirdolim constituency.
Asked to comment on the Congress’ hidden hand working overtime in most of the constituencies Luizinho made no bones of the party’s involvement in the election though it has not fielded candidates on the party banner. “The Congress has asked its workers and supporters to defeat the BJP candidates wherever they are contesting and to expose candidates contesting on party banners in alliance with the BJP”, Faleiro said.
He admitted that many Congress workers are contesting the ensuing election as independent, adding that the party has extended support to these candidates to defeat the BJP and its alliance partners.
