MARGAO: Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, who has significant influence in Wards 23, 24 and 25 of Margao municipality, is trying to unite the people who are against the BJP rule in Goa.
Some people who have filed their candidatures are set to divide votes and reduce the majority of non-BJP candidates. The MLA is presently holding talks with some of them to withdraw their nominations to succeed in common interests.
Ward 25, consisting of the Housing Board and adjoining areas, has a sizable Muslim population. Incidentally, two local Muslims have filed their candidature from the ward. Kalandar Khan and Kutubuddin Bhagewadi are well-known figures in the Housing Board, and may pose a huge threat to Babita Naik, who is the sitting councillor of the ward. Babita will also have to face BJP’s Nagraj Naik, while her husband Sadanand Naik will have to face Raju Shirodkar in Ward 24.
“We are trying to unite new faces and get them to settle the matters. We are meeting the people who are against the BJP, and to retain the seat, will ask them not to file their nominations and divide votes,” said Lourenco.
When asked whether he endorses Babita and Sadanand Naik, he said, “Babita and Sadanand have supported me a lot in the past, but new faces are equally important to get things going.”
Lourenco is keeping his cards closed and will plan his strategy only after the withdrawal of nominations. He has also said that the issues of incomplete sewerage and road works will be the major issues in this election.
