The battle at Cumbharjua

 GERARD DE SOUZA

gerard@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: The riverine constituency of Cumbharjua is prone to changing tides and the freshness that each new wave brings with it. For people who are used to the tides, stagnant water isn’t something they tolerate for too long.

This will certainly be on the mind of sitting Congress MLA Pandurang Madkaikar who seeks to be re-elected for a third time from the Cumbharjua constituency. Challenging him is maverick Catholic priest Bismarque Dias and former MLA of the constituency Nirmala Sawant who contesting as an independent but with support from the BJP and the MGP.

All the three have begun their rounds of campaigning in the various villages, but their support is divided both on the issues as well as among the villages of the constituency.

The Cumbharjua constituency comprises of villages of Divar — Sao Mathias and Goltim-Navelim — St Estevam, Cumbharjua, Corlim and Se Old Goa.

However, while it is still too early for clear trends to emerge one basic trait that stands out is that if the contest continues to remain a three pronged one, with Bismarque Dias, Nirmala Sawant and Pandurang Madkaikar battling for people’s votes, Nirmala stands to gain simply because of a split in votes.

While Madkaikar relied largely on the votes of the villages of Divar, Old Goa and St Estevam, which are dominated by Catholics to push his figures up Nirmala used to rely on Cumbharjua, Chorao, Corlim and other villages for the bulk of the votes. However, this time with Fr Bismarque Dias in the picture, the equation stands to change to Madkaikar’s disadvantage.

Bismarque has been actively campaigning beginning with his village of St Estevam going about on a cycle with a handful of campaigners and has actually made inroads into the hearts of the villagers especially Catholics with his simple and open style of doing things.

“Earlier the Catholic vote was always with the Congress. People would vote for the party and not for the individual. But this time, we have Fr Bismarque, he will get votes because he is our own villager but also because and a lot of Catholics will vote for him,” Nancy Fernandes from St Estevam told Herald adding the Madkaikar is definitely on a sticky wicket.

On the other hand, Nirmala Sawant is banking an anti-incumbency wave to ride the tide to her victory. Crucial to her victory is the fact that she is supported by the BJP-MGP alliance who have decided not to put up a candidate in the constituency but instead support her candidature.

To her advantage Sawant has decided to openly campaign for the materialisation of the Old Goa Master Plan something that the Catholics of Old Goa have been demanding for in the face of rampaging real estate development that is being openly encouraged by incumbent MLA Pandurang Madkaikar through his real estate companies.

Another game changing factor is the Vanxim Island issue. The islanders of Vanxim who have been battling the project on their island have decided to support Fr Bismarque as he has actively taken up the issue.

“None of the villagers of the (Vanxim) island want the project. We will support Fr Bismarque. When we approached Nirmala for help, she was not too cooperative,” Jessie Fernandes an islander said.

The Save Old Goa Action Committee has also declared support for Fr Bismarque because of his commitment to put a halt to real estate constructions in the vicinity of the heritage site.

Interviews

Nirmala Sawant (Independent)

Anti-incumbency wave is

very strong: Nirmala

What is the response that you are getting from the people in your constituency?

I can sense that people want a change. The anti-incumbency wave is very strong.

On what issues are you offering the people?

The issues of preservation of agricultural land through the restoration of bundhs, anti-corruption, effective administration, garbage and many more.

Those are State issues, what about local issues?

Major among them is the Old Goa Master Plan. I also promise to do away with interference by the local MLA in the functioning of the local bodies. Importantly, in consultation with the gram sabhas and the village panchayats, to find a permanent solution to the garbage issue.

I have people’s sympathy: Madkaikar

Pandurang Madkaikar (Congress)

You have been removed as a minister in the last assembly? Will that work to your advantage or disadvantage?

I have the people’s sympathy. They know that injustice has been done to me and they will vote for me. The support has been overwhelming from every house that I am going.

What issues are you taking to the people?

I will focus on development of the constituency, in terms of jobs for people infrastructure development for the people.

How do you fancy your chances?

I am confident of victory. I have finished most of the houses through campaigning. A few villages are left. I am visiting some people twice. The response is very good.

Bismarque Dias (ZGE)

Love for Goa has made me contest polls: Bismarque

What has made you decide to contest the elections?

For me it is the love for Goa. You know I have been taking up issues for a long time…

What are these issues you are contesting on?

The first is obviously the Regional Plan. The issue of rampant mining, constructions and of course the environment. We (the ZGE) will be declaring our manifesto shortly.

How has the response been so far?

It’s been good. Even other people have been campaigning for me people who sympathise with my cause in other parts of the constituency. My campaign is very active and people are happy to see me.