Elsewhere in Sancoale, trouble is also brewing in the BJP camp as an independent candidate is expected to be supported by BJP workers, who are disgruntled ever since BJP handed over the Sancoale ZP seat to the MGP.
Speaking to Herald, Tulshidas Naik said he had resigned as member of the BJP party since he was unhappy over the allotment of seat to the MGP.
“The MGP chose a candidate without consulting the party (BJP) workers and this is undemocratic,” Naik said.
With Naik contesting the polls, it could have major adverse effect on MGP candidate Aparna Naik since Tulshidas is known to be close to former Sancoale sarpanch and Panch Ramakant Borkar, who has close ties with Bhoj Naik, father of Aparna Naik.
In another development, former BJP leader and former Cortalim-Quelossim sarpanch Anthony Vaz has filed his nomination as independent candidate for the Cortalim ZP constituency.
Vaz, who was accompanied by Cortalim-Quelossim Sarpanch Illario Figuieredo, said he had the backing of Figuieredo for the ensuing ZP elections.
Meanwhile, Sancoale Panch Mariano Rodrigues has filed his nomination for the Sancoale ZP constituency.
Rodrigues, who is panch from Zuari Nagar, is known to have considerable hold in migrant-dominated Zuari Nagar and had won with the highest margin of votes in the State panchayat elections in 2012.
Rodrigues, who also has the blessings of Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho, is likely to be supported by BJP workers, who are disgruntled with the party handing over the Sancoale ZP seat to the MGP.
“We have to teach the BJP a lesson for taking us for granted. We are the loyal workers of the BJP for several years and it appears that the party leaders are more interested in personal politics than looking after the interest of the party,” a BJP member told Herald.
Meanwhile, Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho told Herald that he would back the BJP candidate Olancio Simoes for Cortalim ZP and Independent candidate Mariano Rodrigues for the Sancoale ZP constituency.
“Since Congress party is not interested in the ZP polls I have to take a stand. May be the Congress is afraid to go to the people,” Godinho told Herald.
