SHWETA KAMAT
shweta@herald-goa.com
CANACONA: For the current election, Canacona constituency, lesser known until now, has been more in news for the political controversies since the assembly elections have been declared in the state.
The constituency after delimitation has undergone a topographical change which has forced BJP to retain its only one MLA in the list with the party betting on tribal leader and sitting MLA Ramesh Tawadkar.
Though BJP was clear in choosing their candidate, Congress on the other hand had the difficulty in selecting their candidate. The confused high command, puzzled over recently quit BJP leader Vijay Pai Khot and party loyalist Isidore Fernandes, who became the ultimate choice, which might give a tough fight to BJP.
Fernandes name was declared on Sunday evening along with names of three other candidates.
Happy with the news, Isidore will begin his official campaign from Monday, while Tawadkar has already kicked off his campaign.
This, southernmost constituency has been swinging between Congress and BJP in the past. The recent tribal agitation and Tawadkar’s hold over the tribal votes can hold key for his success in the constituency. But Congress might also spring up a surprise after fielding Fernandes.
“The field was clear for Tawadkar here if Congress had gone for Vijay but Isidore can attract large section of society too, as the constituency is equally divided amongst tribals, Catholic and Hindu community,” Prakash Naik, a shopkeeper from Chaudi said.
The constituency has 33,000 voters including 9,000 tribals who have been living in the places like Gaodongri, Khotigao, Sristhal, Poiguinim, Agonda and Khola. Tawadkar also has a strong hold in these tribal belts.
Tawadkar’s acceptance to the tribals is visible during the polls. But what is important is that he will have to win the votes of non-tribals which are in majority in this constituency.
“Tawadkar is far better candidate then Vijay, who failed to live upto the expectations. But, the thing is that Tawadkar, has no vote bank other than tribals and that might give an advantage to Congress,” Vithal Kamat, a local from Agonda said.
However, Tawadkar has other things to say. “Yes, it’s a fact that entire tribal vote will come to me but I don’t think that I have failed to attract other sections of community. I guess at least 10-20 percent of votes will come,” he said adding ‘there are also several loyal BJP workers and supporters, who will vote for me as a leader of the BJP’.
Tawadkar, who led tribal agitation at Balli for rights of tribal and then fought to give justice to two tribal youths who lost their lives during the riot, has always been seen pushing for various tribal demands in the assembly, specially, when it comes to implementation of tribal act.
Though both candidates — Tawadkar and Khot were elected to the assembly, it was only Tawadkar who was seen raising issues concerning the two constituencies such as construction of Talpona-Galjibag Bridge.
When this reporter met Tawadkar, he claimed that he could not fulfill the demand on account of the Congress government ruling the State.
Although a straight fight between the two appears to be likely, some Congress leaders in the constituency are very much upset and are likely to rebel. Infact the former Congress minister Sanjay Bandekar has already left the party and is likely to join BJP. Another party leader Dayanand Pagui, also could contest as an Independent.
The situation might create major problem for Isidore, who will have to face division of Congress votes.
Bandekar, who will be joining BJP on Monday, had said that he is upset with the Congress for not allowing Victoria Fernandes a ticket.
“Dynastic politics has upset me a lot. If you can give tickets to four members in a family then why can’t a loyalist like Mummy? He questioned.
