PANJIM: In their post-poll assessment, the Congress party on Tuesday
anticipated win on 21-23 seats in the just-concluded State legislative Assembly
polls but admitted that the winning margins of their candidates would be thin;
even though the total vote share may go up to 35-40 percent.
Congress party had fielded 37 candidates in the February 4
elections while extending support to Atanasio Monserrate in Panjim, Rohan
Khaunte in Porvorim and Vinod Palyekar of Goa Forward in Siolim . Of the total
37 candidates, 60 percent were new and young faces.
The Congress party this afternoon held post-poll assessment
meeting with its 33 candidates. Margao candidate Digamber Kamat could not
attend the meeting due to the re-polling at one of the polling station at Aquem
in his constituency, while father and son- Pratapsingh Rane and Vishwajit are
out stationed. Similarly Taliegao candidate Jennifer Monserrate was also not
part of the meeting.
During the meeting chaired by Goa Pradesh congress committee
(GPCC) president and Navelim candidate Luizinho Faleiro, almost every candidate
expressed confident about their win; but the final assessment reveals that
party will win with thumping majority but may not cross 23 seats. Also the vote
share which stood at 30 percent in 2012 elections despite defeat is expected to
go up to 35-40 percent this election.
One of the sitting MLA and candidate confirmed that almost
90 percent of the candidates managed to submit booth wise lead they are
expected to get; which sums up between 2,000-2,500 in most cases. “While there
are few like Luizinho Faleiro, Chandrakant Kavalekar, Ravi Naik, who have
claimed victory by huge margin of 5,000-7,000 votes,” congress leader
said.
Congress is also confident on its allies win in Panjim and
Porvorim- with this the tally will stand at 25 seats.
Candidates stated that there was strong wave in favour of
congress this election and was evident during their door-to-door campaigning.
“We won’t say it was anti BJP wave, but we will say a pro- congress wave. Also,
our decision to give ticket to nearly 60 percent new and young faces played an
important role to attract youths,” congress leader said that these were the
views expressed by the candidates during the meeting.
Congress is finding itself on week ground at Saligao, Mayem,
Bicholim, Priol, Taliegao, Sanguem, Canacona, Mapusa and Cuncolim. The party is
confident of sweeping Salcette taluka this time including the seats like
Navelim, Velim and Nuvem where it had lost the last elections.
The Congress party this time has given ticket to for former
Chief Ministers- Pratapsingh Rane, Luizinho Faleiro, Ravi Naik and Digamber
Kamat- all four confident about their victor.
