Voices get shriller on poll eve

In all, 212 candidates are vying for the 40 seats in the Goa Assembly. At the end of a campaign marked by minor incidents of violence, the Election Commission has declared 13 constituencies ‘sensitive’ and ‘hyper-sensitive’. The constituencies are Porvorim, Aldona, Calangute, Taleigao, Santa Cruz, Fatorda, Benaulim, Curtorim, Cortalim, Canacona, Panaji, Marmagao, and Poinguinim.

In most of these constituencies, candidates of the Opposition Congress seem to have a good chance of victory. They have complained that there is not much police presence in constituencies where the BJP stands a good chance.

Defending the declaration of sensitive constituencies, Chief Electoral Officer Arvind Ray said the decision was based on reports from the police department. The authorities have deployed 17 companies of para-military forces in addition to 2,000 local police personnel in these areas.

The election authorities have also dismissed allegations of assault by Independents and Congress candidates. Ray added that the authorities did not find any substance in media reports about candidates treating voters with liquor and food.

Observers say Congress chief Nirmala Sawant and BJP head Laxmikant Parsekar may lose Cumbarjua and Mandrem respectively. BJP Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar faces a tough challenge from Congress’ Ramesh Salimkhan in Panaji. Salimkhan is banking on the 4,750 Catholics and 1,350 Muslims of a total electorate of 15,439 to see him through.

Other prominent contenders include former chief minister Churchill Alemao (Cong), who faces a tough challenge from former protege Mickey Pacheco (UGDP) in Benaulim and ex-chief minister Wilfred D’Souza (NCP) battling his one-time henchman Trajan D’Mello in Saligao. Former deputy chief minister Ravi Naik, who defected from the BJP despite being given a ticket to return to the Congress, is facing a backlash from sections of the electorate.

With the reputation of being a compulsive defector, Naik is challenged by BJP’s MP Shripad Naik who resigned from the Central Government to contest the polls. Both are banking on the Kshatriya Bhandari community to see them through.