While the battle lines have been drawn for the Lok Sabha polls in North Goa, a mini-duel is on the cards in Calangute constituency with two political friends-turned-foes seeking to settle scores during the elections.
Barely two years ago, Calangute’s BJP MLA Michael Lobo had joined hands with Calangute Panch and the panchayat’s de facto leader Joseph Sequeira to overthrow the incumbent MLA Agnelo Fernandes in the 2012 assembly elections.
Relations between Lobo and Sequeira, however, turned sour and both were involved in spats on different occasions. Sequeira had frequently accused Lobo of hindering various projects of the Calangute panchayat, a charge vehemently denied by Lobo.
With the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, Calangute’s BJP MLA Michael Lobo is now keen to prove that he can ensure the success of North Goa BJP candidate Shripad Naik in Calangute constituency without the assistance of Sequeira.
On the other hand, Sequeira appears eager to humiliate Lobo through the ballot and Sequeira could consider it a moral victory if Calangute votes in large numbers for the Congress candidate, Ravi Naik.
While Sequeira was reluctant to openly express his support to any particular Lok Sabha candidate, he dropped enough hints to indicate that his options have been kept open.
“I am still a Congressman, though I supported the BJP during the last Assembly Polls on the request of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar,” said Sequeira, hinting that he was not averse to supporting the North Goa Congress candidate, Ravi Naik.
“The question of whether the BJP will or won’t get the lead in Calangute will be answered by the electorate. We are yet to decide on extending support to a particular candidate or party and a decision will be collectively taken at a meeting with all Panchayat members,” said Sequeira.
Lobo is, however, unperturbed over the fallout with Sequeira and insisted that he wants to mobilise the party cadre by initiating corner and party meetings in the Calangute constituency to garner support for BJP Candidate Shripad Naik.
“The Lok Sabha polls are altogether different and they having no bearing on the assembly elections. During assembly elections, people tend to vote for the party and the individual, while the Lok Sabha polls are fought mainly on party lines.”
“I don’t see the elections as a test of support or strength, but I will definitely mobilize support for our party candidate and sitting MP Shripad Naik.”
“I had a few meetings with BJP workers in Parra, Arpora, Nagoa, Calangute and Candolim and the response has been encouraging. The developmental works by the State government will prove to be a decisive factor at the ensuing ballot,” said Lobo.
What has galvanised the Congress in Calangute constituency is the election of Clothildes Braganza of Calangute as the Congress Mahila President.
“We will definitely revive the Congress in the coastal villages in and around Calangute. The functioning of the State government will make people realize their mistake of voting the BJP into power in the assembly elections and they will reconsider while casting their votes in the Lok Sabha elections,” said Braganza.
When asked if Congress Party had been offered support by Sequiera in Calangute, former MLA Agnelo Fernandes replied, “I am not aware of it and it is up to the party candidate to seek support, which he may do at the appropriate time.”
“We should have no problem in garnering support for the Congress party candidate in Candolim and Calangute, but we will have to bank on the silent support in Arpora and Parra, as people are scared to come out in the open,” said Fernandes.
