MARGAO: As campaigning for the March 7 zilla panchayat polls drew to a close on
Friday, election fever began to rise in the politically sensitive Salcete
taluka, with much at stake for the two heavyweights from South Goa— PWD
minister Churchill Alemao and tourism minister Francisco “Mickky” Pacheco.
Interestingly, a group of five Salcete legislators, including four cabinet
ministers, have joined hands to scuttle the tourism minister’s plans to wrest
the ZP seats from Salcete for the NCP. With Pacheco bagging the first scalp by
getting Nelly Rodrigues—once a close aide and supporter of Churchill
Alemao—elected unopposed and into the NCP in the run up to the elections, the
PWD minister is determined not to lose any more ground to the NCP. Political
observers disclosed that five Salcete legislators— urban development minister
Joaquim Alemao, power minister Aleixo Sequeira, forests minister Filipe Neri
Rodrigues, Curtorim MLA Aleixo Reginald Lourenco, besides Churchill—have
tacitly formed a united front to ensure the defeat of all NCP supported
candidates.
When contacted, Churchill admitted that the five MLAs have indeed come together
for the ZP polls. “I am confident we will win at least 15 seats in South Goa,”
Churchill said. The district has 20 ZP constituencies. Lourenco, on the other
hand, denied there was any understanding. “We have supported candidates in our
respective constituencies. If others interfere in Congress constituencies it is
for the high command to take notice. What can we do?” Lourenco said. According
to political observers, the group is posing a serious threat to the tourism
minister’s poll plans. Take the case of Guirdolim constituency, which is
reserved for women. Seema Dias, wife of outgoing chairperson Cleofacio Dias,
who has entered the fray enjoys the blessings of urban development minister
Joaquim Alemao. Since her opponent Sunita Gonsalves is believed to be propped
up by Pacheco, Joaquim is learnt to be working overtime to ensure his
candidate’s victory.
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