MARGAO: A simple dash of fresh candidates and a properly planned strategy has come with a fortune for the Congress in Salcete. The Congress which was reduced to second, third and also to fifth positions in Salcete constituencies has bounced back and bounced hard. Fort Salcete has literally become the biggest gain for the Grand old party.
Congress was mocked, humiliated, battered with bricks when it lost in 2012 by the same constituents and constituencies. They had to face insults personally, politically, on social media and also from the society at large. Till 2016 Congress did not look to be promising to stage a comeback.
However, it is arguable that ever since the GPCC President took the reins into his hands the activity of the Congress increased. For the first time since 2012, the Congress looked to be interested in contesting and to win. Except for Digamber Kamat and Babu Kavlekar the Congress was fallen apart. But with the advent of the new policy adopted by the Congress to attack the BJP on the issues of U-turns on several issues the magic worked.
A look back at all the constituencies of Salcete and the trends of the results show that the Congress has gained all over.
In 2012, Nuvem was contested and won by Mickky Pacheco who polled 12,288 votes, followed by Congress candidate Aleixo Sequeira who won 8092 votes. Things change with change of approach and it is true with Nuvem. The Congress decided to sideline the previous candidate and gave the ticket Wilfred D’Sa and got him elected with an additional 1857 votes. However, the NCP and AAP candidates who were expected to divide votes of the Congress adversely divided Mickky’s votes.
The Congress retained Curtorim and has improved its lead. However, the Congress has comparatively under performed in the Fatorda constituency compared to the hype and the television airtime the issue of the Congress ticket took before nominations. Joseph Silva only managed to come fourth in the race and just increased the votes of Congress from 660 to 1414 votes.
Digamber Kamat has retained his vote share.
In Benaulim, the Congress candidate of Luizonho looks to have not been a better choice and the figures prove the same. Edwin Barretto only managed to secure 2157 votes reducing from 7676 of Valanka Alemao in 2012. However, this has proven to be a gain for Churchill.
Avertano who won 10351 votes in 2012 has managed to win only 5705 votes and the entire chunk of the votes went to Luizinho Faleiro.
Similarly, the Congress has been a divided house in Cuncolim but has managed to win the seat with Clafasio Dias as their candidate.
Benjamin Silva in Velim won with 13107 votes in 2012 and Congress’ Filipe Neri polled 8238 votes. However, the tides have turned this time and Benjamin who supported BJP last time has been reduced to a helpless minority in Velim. Benjamin polled only 5120 votes against Filip who has got over 10,000 votes.
The Congress may have got more MLAs this time but has not been able to form the government. The reactions of the Congressmen are yet awaited but will surely have a sad tale to tell.
