Jose Philip, Mauvin keen to dominate Dabolim constituency

VASCO, SEPT 3
The rift seems to growing wider between Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza and his cabinet colleague Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho, with both leaders keen to dominate the newly carved Dabolim constituency.
If supporters of both leaders and political analysts are to be believed, the growing political rivalry among the two leaders due to the desire to gain political grip over the new Dabolim constituency.
Dabolim Constituency comprises three municipal wards from Vasco constituency (home territory of D’Souza) and two village panchayats (Chicalim and Dabolim).
A verbal clash between both leaders was evident during the Dahi Handi celebrations on Thursday. Godinho’s supporters gave him a rousing welcome in Vasco, prompting D’Souza’s supporters to organise a similar event barely 50 mts distance from each other.
In the recent past, Godinho has re-energized the Vasco Congress Block, which had been dormant after the Vasco assembly seat was allotted to its alliance partner NCP.
In his speech on Thursday, Godinho expressed his desire to develop Vasco city and said he considered entire Mormugao taluka as single constituency in terms of his priority for development.
“If people of Vasco want me to work for the development of Vasco, I will stand with them. After their repeated requests, I have shown interest in the development of Vasco,” said Godinho.
Interestingly, as soon as Godinho finished his speech, D’Souza made his entry at the opposite stage of Dahi Handi organized by ‘City Boyz’ with a rousing welcome of fire crackers.
Without naming his political rival, D’Souza said he is capable of developing Vasco and he did not want anyone to interfere in his consistency.
“I respect the coalition dharma and I don’t interfere in others consistencies. In terms of development among the three legislators in Mormugao taluka, I have pumped in maximum funds for the development of Vasco,” claimed D’Souza.
Both leaders had engaged in a proxy war to checkmate each other in different elections on several occasions. If D’Souza has succeeded in defeating Godinho’s candidate in the communidade election, then joint efforts of BJP and NCP for Sancoale ZP election was foiled by Godinho.
The double inauguration of St Jacinto Bridge by D’Souza, claims over development of airport road by both political leaders have further widened the rift. Godinho’s recent announcement that he would take the lead in the ensuing Mormugao Municipal Council election has further angered D’Souza.