SANGUEM, OCT 3
The campaigning for the ensuing municipal elections in Sanguem, which had come to a standstill after the inordinate delay by authorities concerned in declaring the seat reservation policy, has once again gained momentum since Saturday.
The seat reservation policy that brought ups and downs in Sanguem literally showed the door out of the council to Romualdo Fernandes, who otherwise would have been a sure win candidate from Ward 1 (Bamonsai).
Fernandes is however undeterred with his ward being reserved for women, as he already commenced his campaigning work for his better half Analina. Just like Romualdo, Analina is also known by locals for her helping nature and her positive personal behaviour with the locals.
“With my ward being reserved for women, voters have backed the fielding of my wife as the candidature for Ward 1 in my absence. I have full faith in my voters, I have sincerely worked for the development of the ward for the last five years and I see no reason as to why my voters will not vote for my wife Analina,” claimed Romualdo.
As the news made round on Sunday, opposing Analina will be another close relative of Romualdo.
Sources informed that Leena Fernandes, a close relative of Fernandes is contemplating to contest against Analina. This has literally put the voters from Ward 1 in a fix as they will now shy to come out openly in favour of a particular candidate.
Romualdo is however not seeing Leena Fernandes as a possible threat to the candidature of his wife Analina.
In Ward 10 (Taripanto), which is also reserved for women, voters will see the wife of the sitting councilor and Vice Chairperson Caitano Fernandes vying for the seat. The candidature of Caitano Fernandes’ wife was decided long back.
The seat reservation policy however brought much relief to former chairperson Sanjay Raikar. With his seat being left untouched, things are once again made clear to Raikar to get elected from the ward which he has been representing for past many years.
Things would have however made difficult for Raikar if his ward was declared reserved either for women or OBC candidate. But now there is no threat whatsoever to Raikar as he enjoys a clear majority in the ward as most of the voters in the ward are his tenants.
A keen contest will however be seen at Khairikanttem and Tinto, where some three candidates each from Congress camp are set to contest against each other.
At Tinto, Sanguem Block Congress (I) President Dr Revansiddh Naik will contest against former Congress Block president Caitano Martins Fernandes and former councilor John D’Costa.
At Khairikanttem, ruling councilor Agnelo F G Da Costa will not be spared by his rival candidates. Another two candidates are reportedly vying to contest from the ward represented by Agnelo.
Sources informed that former chairperson Minguelinho D’Costa is likely to contest from the ward represented by Agnelo in the ensuing elections.
With Ward 4 (Dando East) reserved to Schedule Tribe candidate, ruling councilor Queroz Cruz is once again set to try his luck. However, it is not yet made clear if there will be any other candidate contesting against Cruz.
A large number of new candidates are also likely to file their nominations in the ensuing municipal elections in Sanguem, but chances of their winning the elections will largely depend on the campaigning work to be undertaken by them.
