Chances of Congress in South Goa The massive, ever voting in South Goa Parliamentary segment, raises doubts and expectations, Everyone is interpreting it in its own favour .The Catholics independents have aligned with the BJP for their own survival and relevance, The BJP with clear majority of its own did not need their voluntary extension of unconditional support. People had elected them as a reaction of disgust, It is unlikely that people will listen to their dictates .The results will show where they stand At least in VelimConstituency he has , openly left the voters to decide for themselves, so as to insulate himself of the backlash . The suggestions/recommendations of the Church will have to be taken with a pinch of salt. The enlightened and politically educated voters do make their own decision, as in the past
The ticket issues and delays, infighting of Congress Party has initially dampened the spirit and good will of the voters. Then the son avenging the humiliation entered the fray to settle old scores of bad blood, which fact again divides the voters to some extent. The TMC candidate, the old guard and work horse of the Congress has further dented the chances of the official candidate. The tribal leader has also thrown his hat in the ring, appealing to sectarian votes, especially for the welfare of the community. Dayannad Narvekar has parted ways adding fuel to the fire of Congress unity. Mauvin Godinho, from Dabolim Constituency has cleverly manoeuvred his exit astutely and openly revolted against supporting the Candidate in question. The 3 independent Catholic MLA`s elected with popular support of the predominant minority community in the bastion of the congress have aligned with the powers to be .Joaquim from erstwhile Cuncolim Constituency is nursing hurt feelings of being ignored and side-lined and hence is bound to cast its shadow in terms of support. The Cortalim constituency has also shifted its allegiance to the ruling dispensation The AAM party will make inroads slowly but certainly. The cancelled, intended visit of the Party President, as a booster to its sagging image, has further raised eyebrows,. Besides the badly mauled organisation of the Congress, enthusiasm and absence of its dedicated workers did not inspire confidence. With massive erosion of the known, past bases of the Congress, speculation is rife and meaningful. Fishing in troubled waters, the disgruntled elements are an easy prey for clever manipulations to divide the traditional, assured votes. All types of allurements doing round are not farfetched and unreasonable, Thus it is clear that the votes of the Congress party alone are being definitely split, The poll campaign was largely concentrated on secularism and local non issues at central level. There was divergence of views both from North and south Constituencies on major issues. In spite of these facts it will be a miracle and wishful thinking, if the divided Congress can retain its seat in the South. In fact the Candidate has declined comments to the media, waiting for the outcome, thus entertaining doubts of the victory The Congress as in the past has taken the voters and their allegiance for granted, promoting themselves as the sole guardians of secular principles and champions of the rights of the minorities, The visits to temples, mosques to seek blessings for win are obnoxious and repugnant. These out-dated strategies have lost its relevance in the present century, as the voters can no longer be fooled Nelson Lopes Chinchinim.
