VIBHA VERMA
Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte is up against history to get re-elected as the independent candidate for the second time in the history of Goan elections. However, even though he is chasing history and a much stronger BJP candidate the in 2012, Khaunte seems to have a slight edge thanks to works carried out when he was in good books with Manohar Parrikar as a chief minister then.
While the sitting MLA is bracing up for a second stint in the legislative assembly as Independent, Congress has unanimously decided to support him. What’s interesting is that Khaunte had lent outside support to the ruling government only to criticise it on the floor of the House on various issues thereafter.
On the other hand, the BJP has reposed its faith on Guruprasad Pawaskar; its former ally; MGP has fielded Rajesh Amonkar while AAP’s candidate is Rajesh Valvaikar; SJP (Chandra Shekar) backed Raju D’Souza and another Independent Wilbur Fredrick Ticlo are also in the fray.
The constituency, that saw infrastructural development in the recent past, has a major task to retain its status as an administration capital of the State.
The major achievement in this constituency is reduction of accidents on NH17 due to installation of traffic signals on CSR activity. Right from Soccoro to teen building on NH17 there are four signals installed.
“Although the constituency comprises three villages, it is no less than a town. It has evolved into a mini metro housing the State Legislative Assembly and the Secretariat, government offices, educational institutions, a shopping mall and five starred resorts and villas. We have witnessed a drastic change in the last few years,” said an elderly local resident Anand Pissurlekar.
With the present changes, the local MLA launched a campaign demanding an Urban Status even as Porvorim, having a population of around 24,000, consists of three panchayats — Salvador do Mundo, Penha de Franca and Socorro.
The development has come with problems such as congested roads owing to the construction of third Mandovi Bridge, water woes and poor road conditions at few locations.
The opposition has tapped on these issues to win the hearts of the people as candidates are in the final stages of door-to-door campaigning.
Reeling out a list of problems, BJP candidate Pawaskar said in the absence of playground, the youth travel to Panjim for sports practice.
The sitting MLA, Khaunte, has been demanding the town be developed on lines with SMART CITY or AMRUT Mission.
Khaunte says the traffic signals, installed on CSR without any government help, have saved hundreds of lives.
About the traffic jam due to third Mandovi bridge and mall, he says it is due to bad planning of neighbouring constituency as the Mall comes under Saligao constituency and Pilerne panchayat.
Also, he says while the third Mandovi Bridge is much needed in future the planning has been bad by GSIDC.
