PANJIM: The mood in Ward 27 is as expected. The BJP-dominated ward is eagerly waiting for February 13 when Panjimites will vote for their new MLA. They, and councillor Shubham Chodankar, are certain BJP will win for the sixth time consecutively.
On the other hand, there is uncertainty in neighbouring Ward 26 which has Edward Dennis Jorge, from the Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate panel, as the councillor. His response to the Panjim by-poll is very diplomatic, though Monserrate has openly claimed he will campaign for the BJP, though he does not support BJP’s Siddharth Kunkoliencar.
“It is not about BJP or Babush-panel but for the people to decide. I have kept the option open for the people,” Jorge said on whether his ward would go with Monserrate or otherwise.
Even as Ward 27, comprising about 850 voters that stretches from Avanti to Panjim Community Centre in Mala, is certain of a BJP win, they have expectations from the new candidate. Sneha Naik said, “We will vote for Kunkolienkar, but a playground and a garden is what we need.” Chodankar added that construction on a bridge connecting Mala-to-Patto should start soon as the proposal has been pending. He is optimistic that the wishes of the people would be accomplished.
“He is a popular face and maintains a personal rapport with the people. The residents know him well as he would join Parrikar (former MLA Manohar Parrikar) during past election campaigns,” he said.
Ward 26 has around 800 to 1000 voters, and covers the area from the Traffic department to Archbishop Palace to St Tome Chapel. Dennis said they have not many demands but urgently want the garbage issue resolved.
Resident Anil Harmalkar too doesn’t wish to come on record about his favoured candidate. “We want a candidate who is committed to the people of Panjim. Let voting day come and people queue up to cast their votes,” he said.
For the past 20 years the people have seen Parrikar contest and win. Now, they expect his replacement to work for the constituency in the same manner and pace that the now-union minister did.
“Parrikar is a resident of Mapusa and has been elected as Panjim MLA five times. He worked a lot for the constituency. We expect the same from Kunkolienkar,” a resident of Ward 27 said.
