CUNCOLIM: Will Congress bow down to former minister Joaquim Alemao’s threat of contesting from Cuncolim constituency even if he is denied a party ticket? Or is the party going to respect the Cuncolim Block Committee decision requesting the party high command not to give a ticket to Alemao who is an outsider in the constituency? As the State rushes towards another Assembly election, these are the questions that constituents of Salcete’s southernmost constituency are asking.
The Congress Block Committee had proposed four names for the Congress ticket and Alemao’s name is not among them. Last week, Alemao gave a public ultimatum to the party to decide on his candidature in 15 days or else he will contest on popular sentiment.
So the other question is, if not Congress where will Alemao go? It’s a puzzle at the moment, but it looks like Alemao may contest as an independent if denied a party ticket. Sources said that some supporters have urged him not to contest on a Congress ticket as they believe the party won’t be in a position to form the next government. As an independent, his bargaining chances will increase manifold if he is elected, his supporters feel.
Alemao’s close aides said that he may contest on a Goa Forward ticket. There is speculation that Alemao may join Goa Forward and if there is a mahagatbandan, then Goa Forwards may ask for the Cuncolim seat.
There is also speculation that Alemao may not contest and may ask the party to allow his son Yuri to contest on a Nationalist Congress Party ticket. However, Alemao has denied all this speculation and told supporters that he will contest as an independent candidate.
Except for Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik no other Congress leader is supporting Alemao’s candidature. Naik turned up at the birthday party thrown by the former Cuncolim MLA, who though he lost in 2012 to BJP’s Rajan Naik, is confident he will return back to Assembly in 2017.
Cuncolim constituency has already gone in election mood as all aspirants have kicked off their campaigns. Alemao has concentrated on corner meetings and on his birthday managed to get over 3000 constituents for his party.
Other aspirants like ZP member Clafacio Dias, former CMC chairperson Devendra Dessai, John Monteiro who are vying for a Congress ticket have started meeting voters.
Aam Admi Party candidate Elvis Gomes has also started his campaign. Gomes is also going door-to-door meeting people. MLA Naik has also started his campaign and hopes to demonstrate his show of strength on 18 through a maha melava.
