NAVIN JHA
VASCO: While the voters from six panchayats under Mormugao Taluka rejected many old faces in the Panchayat polls and voted for the new faces, the voters this time have given opportunity to few new blood to take over the reins of their respective bodies.
21-year-old Civil engineering student of Goa Engineering College Ezbon D Souza who belongs to ST community from Quelossim is the youngest Panch to get elected among all six panchayat bodies under Mormugao Taluka. His victory surprised all senior leaders in the village and now D’ Souza aims at resolving the unsolved issue of garbage in his village.
“Though I have my family members in the politics however, I decided to come into politics only because I could not see my village facing severe garbage problems. I may not have much experience in politics but as young blood I will put my best efforts to ensure that the identity of village is protected and issues should be resolved on priority,” said D’Souza.
Like D’Souza, 22-year-old Jagannath Mahale who defeated AAP Dabolim Assembly candidate Vasant Naik from ward number 2 of Chicolna-Bogmalo Panchayat is the second youngest elected Panch among all six Panchayats under Mormugao Taluka. Mahale said that the issues plaguing his village forced him to come into active politics.
“Though my ward number 2 can be considered as the biggest residential colony in Goa however there are plenty of issues that we have been facing in the ward. For instance, till date we don’t have PWD water connections as all the residents are dependent of borewell water; similarly there were multiple unsolved issues, however, there was no one who wants to take the lead and hence I decided to contest Panchayat elections so that I could resolve the issues of my ward and of my village. During my college days I was holding various positions in the student’s councils and now I would be using my experience to solve issues faced by the people,” Mahale said.
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FORTUNE favours the brave in a tie
During the counting of votes at Vasco, an interesting and neck to neck battle was also witnessed on Tuesday. While counting the votes from ward number 1 of Quelossim village, candidate Deepa Naik and Salvador Fernandes faced a tie with 132 votes each. Interestingly with one postal vote, which Deepa Naik’s son had voted using his postal ballot (son is a government servant) Naik almost won the elections.
However, before the returning officer could take final decision to declare Naik as winner, Fernandez asked for recounting during which they again faced a tie as one vote which was counted in favour of Naik was declared invalid by the returning officer. Finally the returning officer decided to go for draw of lots and as luck was in favour of Fernandes who had almost accepted his defeat was finally declared as the winner from ward number 1 of Quelossim VP.
