I had in 2011 contested the elections to the Corporation of City of Panaji. At that election Manohar Parrikar moved house to house in that campaign against me so also did Babush Monseratte and his arch-rival Victoria Fernandes teaming together and vigorous campaigning after their infamous kiss.
At that election as part of his strategy Manohar Parrikar besides the BJP candidate had also fielded his relative Shamsunder Vassudev Kamat as an independent anticipating that voters of his Brahmin community would not vote for his BJP nominee but side with me. Shamsunder Vassudev Kamat polled 122 votes after his very high-budget campaign and the BJP candidate also lost. My dedicated band of workers ran a very dignified and clean campaign. Despite all out efforts by Manohar Parrikar, Babush Monseratte and Victoria Fernandes yet 341 voters stood solidly by me. They withstood the pressure of money that was freely flowing and muscle power that was on display by the rival candidates all through that campaign. I may have lost that election by 99 votes to Babush Monseratte’s candidate but that defeat was in fact a victory of sorts. A ray of hope that all is not lost in electoral politics and some sanity still prevailed. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
