MARGAO: Last time round, she had made it to the South Goa Zilla Panchayat from Colva with ease, scoring a hat trick after she won the election unopposed.
This time, however, South Goa Zilla Panchayat Chairperson Nelly Rodrigues is locked in a fierce battle, with the contest virtually narrowing down between her and former Betalbatim deputy Sarpanch Marcus D’Souza contesting as Independent. Joao Pereira is the other candidate in fray.
Contesting on the Mickky Pacheco-backed Goa Vikas Party (GVP), Nelly had vehemently opposed to government’s move to hold ZP polls on party lines, but her opponents now accuse her for an U-turn on the issue. Contentious issues such as Ghar Wapsi, attacks on churches and Mother Tereza by right wing Hindu organisations affiliated to the BJP, besides beef shortage, have all come into play in Colva constituency this election. Nelly’s opponents have been working overtime to literally engage her on these issues, pointing accusing fingers at her for the GVP’s stoic silence when churches were being attacked in the rest of the country.
Says her rival candidate, Marcus D’Souza: “I had supported Nelly when she first contested the ZP election in 2000. But today Nelly is associated with the BJP-GVP alliance, which uttered no word when churches and Mother Tereza were attacked by fanatics. They are working for their self interest and not for the community”.
Eulogio Gomes and Maclean Dourado, who have both withdrawn from the fray in support of Marcus, echoed similar sentiments. “People of the country have the right to practice their own religion. The BJP alliance is out to suffocate the minorities by creating beef shortage. The beef shortage has hit Muslims as well as Christians having small businesses and restaurants. These are the same people who had cancelled the Good Friday holiday”, Eulogio said, while accusing Nelly for the U-turn on the question of government decision to hold ZP election on party lines. Former Betalbatim sarpanch Inacio Fernandes questioned Nelly’s decision to contest on the GVP when she was opposed to ZP elections on party lines.
Nelly, however, says that she has full faith in her voters, exuding confidence they would give her a thumping victory to play yet another innings from Colva. “I am contesting on the GVP since I belong to the party. Moreover, the government has now promised funds and powers to the ZP bodies. If not, I can assure you we will continue our battle for our rights”, she added.
She accused vested interests for circulating SMSes across the constituency, giving the election campaign a communal colour. “Did I not speak out against those who attacked Mother Tereza when the media asked me to outline my stand on Ghar Wapsi and other issues? I need no certificate from someone who was accused for slapping a nun. The government is resuming beef supply immediately. The people of Colva constituency are aware of my works during the last 15 years. I am confident they will stand by me and give a befitting reply to these elements circulating the SMSes against me”, Nelly asserted.
