Team Herald
PANJIM: Former sarpanch of Taleigao Agnelo D’Cunha is eagerly awaiting the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) decision to nominate him for the St Cruz seat even as the date of filing nomination papers end on Friday.
D’Cunha has been actively campaigning in St Cruz constituency for the last five months after he quit as Taleigao sarpanch so as to devote more time in the constituency. According to locals, his campaign is gaining momentum.
St Cruz is among six constituencies where the BJP is yet to declare its candidates and the fate of two sitting MLAs Antonio (Tony) Fernandes (St Cruz) and Pandurang Madkaikar (Cumbarjua) hangs in balance. The party has now cleared the name of Assembly Speaker Rajesh Patnekar for the Bicholim seat.
When contacted, D’Cunha said, “I am waiting for the good news. People of St Cruz, especially youth, want me to contest because they are hungry for jobs and development. I am told that the party has recommended two names to the Central Election Committee for a final decision.”
D’Cunha claimed that he is the best candidate for the constituency given the support he enjoys from former Minister and MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate and the BJP leadership and the capacity he has to deliver the things.
Stating that there has been no development in St Cruz constituency for the last four years, D’Cunha said that if elected his priority will be to set up a full-fledged primary health centre, a community hall and a playground in the constituency.
Meanwhile, St Cruz BJP Mandal launched the party’s campaign in St Cruz constituency on Monday. St Cruz BJP Mandal president Pramod Kamat said that they started the election campaign without waiting for the party to declare candidate.
BJP State president Sadanand Shet Tanavade said that party’s Central Election Committee will meet in Delhi on Tuesday morning to finalise the candidates for remaining six constituencies.
