With barely a few months left for the crucial assembly elections in the state, the political parties have kick started the process of screening suitable candidates in Cortalim constituency which is presently with Bharatiya Janata Party. Though the list of aspirants eyeing for national as well as regional party ticket is rising, there are few others who, till date, have not decided to go with any party and have been preparing themselves to contest the forthcoming polls as independent candidates from Cortalim.
Among the “new faces” who are in line to be endorsed by the Congress are Zilla Panchayat Member from Sancoale, Mariano Gilbert Rodrigues.
Similarly from BJP side sitting MLA and Minister in state cabinet Alina Saldanha is a front runner for the BJP ticket though this hasn’t been firmed up as yet. There were also rumours making rounds in the constituency that if BJP fails to give ticket to Alina, then her supporters want her to contest as independent. However, she and her supporters have been canvassing for herself as BJP candidate for the present.
While BJP and Congress are yet to endorse the names of its candidates, the ZP member from Cortalim Anthony Vas, and has strong backing of SC/ST votes from Cortalim, has shown interest in contesting for the assembly seat.
Sources have confirmed to Herald that few national as well regional party leaders have started having dialogues with Vas, offering him party ticket, but Vas has not taken any decision to contest under any party flag.
Another important player in Cortalim will be the ZP member from Colva, Nelly Rodrigues.
She lost 2012 assembly polls to late Matanhy Saldanha with 2000 odd votes. Though she represents Colva ZP constituency she has made inroads in Cortalim constituency, through support from the Zuarinagar slum voters.
Recently Rodrigues was seen sharing dais with senior Aam Admi Party (AAP) leader and Health Minister in AAP-led Delhi Government, Satyendra Kumar Jain, during his visit to Zuarinagar slums and since then speculations are high that she might be the probable candidate for AAP ticket from Cortalim.
Incumbent Sancoale Sarpanch Ramakant Borkar, who had unsuccessfully contested the last assembly polls and had received over 3000 votes, has already thrown his hat in the ring, though the decision to contest assembly polls under party flag or independent is yet to be made by him. The list of aspirants coming forward is adding up more day by day as Herald ground report reveals that Olencio Simoes, who is the nephew of late Matanhy Saldanha too would contest from Cortalim but it is still not known what his affiliation would be.
The 12,000 strong vote bank of the Zuarinagar slums is tempting for former Sancoale Sarpanch and present Panch Sharan Meti and his elder brother Siddanha Meti.
Clearly, the constituency which “elected” its MLA, with no polling or opposition, in 2012, will see the exact opposite in 2017, with multiple names on the electronic voting machine to choose from.
