ASMITA POLJI
asmita@herald-goa.com
If the scuffle between the supporters of Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Rajendra Arlekar and MGP Manohar alias Babu Azgaonkar is any indication, the tussle for Pernem constituency seems to be very tough. Before the BJP came to power in 2012, the then Congress candidate Manohar (Babu) Azgaonkar served the people in this constituency and left his imprint in their mind and hearts by creating development in the inner part of the villages by providing basic facilities like potable water, electricity and roads.
On the other hand, Arlekar despite being the Assembly Speaker and later a minister has failed to make any notable development and that is something that may go against him this election.
This time, Manohar alias Babu Azgaonkar is contesting on a MGP ticket, while Congress has pitted Vikesh Asnotikar, a fresh face for this constituency.
Along with BJP, MGP and Congress, other parties such as Goa Vikas Party, Aam Aadmi Party, Bahujan Mukti, NCP and Goa Praja Party have also fielded their candidates.
The Zone
Pernem constituency consists of Pernem Municipal Council and village panchayats of Chandel-Hasapur, Alorna, Cansarvornem, Virnoda, Varconda-Nagzar, Torxem, Tamboxem-Mopa- Uguem, Ozorim, Paliem, Corgao, Dargalim, Ibrampur, Casne-Amere- Poroscodem.
Of party and politics
BJP government in its five-year tenure in Pernem constituency completed projects such as Pernem bus stand, Pernem police station and also solved the parking problem but failed to fulfil the promises made during last elections.
Will they, won’t they?
Locals are sceptical whether the Greenfield Mopa airport is for the people of Pernem or for outsiders as they feel 50,000 jobs are promised by government but the necessary education required to get employment here is still not available in Pernem.
People also want to know what happened to promise of 2,500 jobs in five years in Pernem constituency.
On the other hand, the government is encouraging the people to make a career out of agricultural sector but making changes in Tenancy Act in 2014, the government has left no option with the these people because most of their land has already gone back to the landlords.
The unemployment and tenancy Act amendment has created a major issue, which could affect party’s chances in coming election.
Besides, the party had promised legalisation of sand mining within 48 days after coming to power, which is not yet fulfilled. People who are mining sand illegally have gone scot free but what about the people who really want to follow the law?
Another factor in this election is MoI issue. Pernem favours Marathi and Konkani due to its close relation with neighbouring Maharashtra state. Both languages are preferred by the locals and Pernem wants Marathi to be made as official language.
The promise of developing a sports city in Dhargal village was also one of BJP’s promises, but there is no sign of this project and the land, which is acquired for the same, is left unused for years.
There is also a long-awaited need for a common crematoriums in all the villages of this constituency.
Since now major projects have been proposed in this constituency, migrants have already started moving in here and with the coming up of these developmental projects there is a need to have a common crematorium.
