The candidates have finished campaigning, including the gruelling door-to-door campaign. Additionally, the delimitation and reservation of wards have left several heavyweights in tight spots.
Ward 12 (Kharebandh, Kharlem), which is reserved for women, has changed quite a bit this time around, increasing in area and number of people. It now includes Shirvodem, which is a slum-dominated area that has major problems of health and sanitation. The Khareband area faces the huge problems of garbage and pollution of the Sal River as several houses and scrap yards on the bank deposit a lot of waste in the river. Additionally, migrants have been causing trouble in the area for a long time.
Dorris Texeira, the councillor of this area, has finished three rounds of campaigning, with Margao MLA Digambar Kamat campaigning with her in one round
“The tenders for the construction of proper gutters and cleaning of the area have already floated, and the work will begin in November,” said Dorris, adding, “Whoever gets elected in this ward will have a huge task of keeping the garbage and the sewerage problems of this area at bay.”
Margao Development Front candidate Geeta Dessai, being a local, is confident that she has an edge over the candidates, including Dorris. She said, “The common sentiment of the people is to have a new face and a local as a councillor, who will give attention to their problems. This has given me confidence.”
Meanwhile, candidates Fatima Fernandes and Leena Gomes have opened their offices and are campaign hard in Ward 15.
Ward 21, which is also reserved for women, will see three candidates square off. Devbala Bhise is a senior leader of the Madgao Mahila Mandal as well as the BJP. Shahina Dias an independent candidate, while Ashlesha Naik is supported by MLA Kamat. The ward has around 2,300 voters, 25 percent of which are Catholics.
“I believe that being involved in socio-political work for so many years gives me an advantage over my opponents,” said Bhise.
