Pratik Parab
Traditionally a Scheduled Tribal people dominated constituency this seat is not going to be a cake walk for any of the candidates, moreover for the sitting MLA Ganesh Gaonkar. The BJP MLA is expected to face the anti incumbency in Sanvordem. A large chunk of the people and local leaders, who supported Ganesh in the last election, have broken away from the main stream and the leader of this group Deepak Prabhu Pauskar is the candidate of MGP in Sanvordem. Pauskar is one of the largest mining transporters till date and is also the sarpanch of Kirlapal-Dabal panchayat. With the MGP-BJP alliance not taking place this time, sources say that Deepak Pauskar is likely to be one up against Gaonkar.
The opposition is blaming Ganesh Gaonkar for non-development of the ST-dominated constituency despite being in the ruling. The constituency still remains underdeveloped despite being the heartland of mining and agro activities.
Villagers have claimed that they only breathe in dust from the trucks while the benefit was taken by the mine owners and contractors. Dr Uday Gaonkar, who was supposed to contest on Aam Admi Party, has withdrawn his nomination and has left the field open to Congress-BJP-MGP fight.
Moreover the villages in the constituency face fundamental problems which are yet to be attended by the Government, like drinking water, electricity supply, bus stand and health issues.
Claiming success on electricity and water issue, Ganesh said: “The laying of the JICA water pipeline is complete and once the water treatment plant at Selaulim is ready, the problem of water will be solved. As far as electricity is concerned we have changed old and outdated power lines and have enhanced and improved the network of power and street lights too.”
There was demand for a fire station and for employment for the youth. Ganesh even after being Chairman of Goa Industrial Development Corporation has not succeeded in creating employment opportunities to youth from his ward. There was demand for ITI which also remains unfulfilled.
Kalem, Colem, Molem, Sakordem, Dabal-Kirlapal and Dharbandora are the panchayats falling in the constituency.
Having said that it is definitely going to be a fight between Ganesh and Deepak as the Congress is a new entrant to Sanvordem.
Deepak Pauskar who had contested last elections as Independent had pulled good votes against Ganesh and Anil Salgaonkar.
Fraction of BJP workers are reportedly seen with Pauskar which has caused concerns to Ganesh Gaonkar.
With the advantages of management of the college set up and special benefit extended to ST students, jobs to many workers in government departments, extension of several social schemes like Ladli Laxmi, Old age pension, Atal Housing Scheme, Griha Adhar, schemes for ST students BJP may have a smooth sail. But with MGP in the fray the votes are sure to be split.
—
We will get lead in all five panchayats of the constituency. I say this because the constituency which was bleeding for the last 40 years has been given proper attention and is now on the track of development. The ones who have stood against me this election were never with me in the last election. In fact our only motive and agenda of development has been liked by people so much that many of the votes of late Anil Salgaonkar have also now come to us
— Ganesh Gaonkar, sitting BJP MLA
It is a complete zero on the front of development in Sanvordem. Electricity and water supply is a problem already. But the MLA Ganesh Gaonkar has failed to even listen to the problems of the people and assure them a solution. This constituency was completely dependent on mining and the closure has affected it badly. Though the mining activity was closed there was an advantage to develop the necessary infrastructure like the mining bypass and road widening But the MLA has not done anything other than building retaining walls on the river banks
— Deepak Pauskar, MGP candidate
