POLL CARNIVAL: Voters waiting for their turn at the Borda School voting stations in Margao (right); Michael and Delilah Lobo after casting their votes in the Calangute constituency (left).

By Joshua George

The polling day survey by the GO team shows euphoria in the Utpal Parrikar camp, high level of confidence in the Michael Lobo group and minor skirmishes in Navelim and Margao constituencies. Also noticeable was the bias towards the BJP as banners of all other parties were removed, but not BJP banners!

THERE is clear split of opinion in the battle for Manohar Parrikar’s legacy. The hot seat of capital city Panjim has been the most talked-about constituency in the lead up to this year’s assembly elections, as Utpal Parrikar, elder son of the late chief minister of Goa and defense minister of India, decided to contest against the seasoned politician Atanasio Babush Monserrate.
Utpal who is standing as an Independent is backed by his paternal uncle Avdhoot Parrikar and in the recently over assembly election had set up his camp near Miramar circle. Barely a few minutes away, the BJP “karyakartas” who campaigned against Babush in the last election were seen diligently making sure all their voters had turned up.
“He has based his entire campaign on his father’s legacy.” “He has no prior experience,” said a BJP worker in response to a query. He further went on to add that Utpal Parrikar had lived abroad for more than a decade and come home to Goa only recently as if at the last moment to attempt to seize power from a seasoned politician! On the other hand, Utpal’s camp questioned the BJP’s decision to field a candidate with a strong criminal background. Would BJP loyalists stick with Babush or support Utpal? The answer: “We are all BJP loyalists and we will always be; however, we can never support a candidate like Babush Monserrate.”
Many voters at the polling booths in Panjim are of the opinion that Utpal Parrikar contesting this assembly election is a win-win for the BJP — as if to say that if Utpal wins he will naturally be joining the BJP, his father’s party. However this is being rubbished by Utpal and his supporters.
Coming to the Congress candidate for Panjim, Elvis Gomes, many think he is the dark horse who will split votes vis-à-vis Utpal splitting Babush votes. In Elvis Gomes this is the first time the Congress has fielded a candidate with a credible educational background, someone who had held responsible positions in government administration, said a Congress worker. Another said AAP’s Valmiki Naik will fare better than he did in the last election.

UP NORTH IN BICHOLIM
FURTHER up north in Bicholim taluka, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is confident not only of his own victory in Sanquelim but also a State victory for the BJP. After casting his vote at Pale in Bicholim, Pramod Sawant addressed the media, saying, “The Opposition went all out to make false propaganda against the BJP in the state. However, our karyakarta have remained firm and concentrated on development works and this is the only reason why BJP will win this elections.” Sanquelim had the highest turnout amongst all the constituencies with 89.6% of the electorate population voting.
In Calangute, “Kingmaker” and two-time MLA Michael Lobo, who in a shocking unexpected move, quit BJP to join the Congress with his wife Delilah (who has contested from Siolim), is confident that there will be a strong support for the Congress in Bardez. Michael and his team had campaigned actively in Bardez taluka which comprises seven constituencies.
Both Michael and Youth Congress president of North Goa, Vivek D’Silva, are confident that the Congress will win five out of seven seats in Bardez. The exception is Tivim where Kavita Kandolkar, wife of former Tivim MLA Kiran Kandolar, has emerged as a strong candidate. In Porvorim, Rohan Khaunte has been the long term Independent MLA (now with the BJP) and is a formidable candidate. However, Vivek D’Silva, says that Khaunte may well jump BJP ship to the Congress if Congress emerges victorious in the just over assembly elections in Goa.

MINING OPINION
With most parties highlighting the resumption of sustainable mining in their manifestos, there was a split in opinion amongst mining dependents on election-day itself. The inability to restart mining has been a major poll issue for people living in the mining belts. The mining belt comprises of nine constituencies – namely, Bicholim, Mayem, Sanquelim, Curchorem, Sanvordem, Sanguem, Poriem, Tivim and Quepem.
Seven of these nine constituencies are currently represented by the BJP. The votes of mining dependents will play a key role in the outcome of the elections, for failure to restart mining has crippled the State’s economy and contributed to the large scale unemployment scenario. While some are confident that only a double-engine government of the BJP can restart mining in the State, others still reeling from hardships and financial losses aggravated by the Covid-19 pandemic and its lockdowns, say they would vote judiciously to give other parties a chance to contribute towards Goa’s welfare.

HAPPY TRANSGENDERS
THIS elections witnessed transgenders being given the opportunity to vote for the first time. “After 22 years of living in Goa, I feel I’ve been finally recognized!” Said 25-year old Madhu Gupta. Madhu, who is the only transgender voter in Santa Cruz village, was elated and shed tears of joy when she received her voting card as a recognized third gender and not as a male identity. Madhu is one of the nine transgender voters who got their opportunity to vote as a recognized section of society. In Margao, four members of the transgender community voted. Had voting rights been given to the transgender people earlier, say many of them, India would have benefitted long ago. Needless to say this was a landmark elections for this community. A lot has changed for it in the in the last five years – they are being employed and get the benefits of various schemes. The transgender community is looking forward to its voice being heard and its concerns redressed as also its members hope to be represented in politics.

SKIRMISHES IN THE SOUTH
THE high turnout in South Goa has been surprising this time, however the elections were marred by a few skirmishes between political camps. A tense situation arose for a while in Rumdamol, Navelim, after supporters of the TMC candidate Valanka Alemao and supporters of the NCP candidate Rehan Muzawar got into a verbal spat – apparently the term “gaati” (outsider) was used by the Alemao group. The nasty altercation took place just outside the polling booth outside the Anjuman High School. There was also a minor clash between the workers of Congress candidate Alexio Sequiera and Independent candidate Wilfred D’Sa at Nuvem polling station.
Navelim witnessed a tense moment as opposing candidates Pratima Coutinho from AAP, Avertano Furtado (INC), Rehan Muzawar (NCP) and Digvijit Chauhan (Independent) questioned the police for not being alert to trouble and trouble makers. Despite a large number of police personnel being present there were violations of the code of conduct by those supporting TMC candidate Valanka Alemao. Reportedly, Cortalim voters were blocked from voting by supporters of one particular party just an hour before voting came to a close at 5pm on Monday (February 14).
Moti Dongor which is well known slum area and stronghold of Digambar Kamat in Margao witnessed a tense situation. With Deputy Chief Minister Manohar Ajgaonkar venting fury at police personnel who failed to take action while Kamat and about 50 of his people walked around the area. Ajgaonkar’s allegation is that the group of people were goondas with swords who entered the homes of the slumdwellers. Digambar Kamat’s influence among the slum dwellers of Moti Dongor is immense. It is well known that the residents here have determined the victory or defeat of politicians in Margao. In the last seven assembly elections nobody has been able to oust Digambar Kamat from this Margao constituency where he is well respected and is a familiar benefactor.
Apart from some minor skirmishes it was altogether a smooth assembly election. An increase in the number of polling booths facilitated ease in polling. In many places, senior citizens above the age of 75 were given the option of a postal ballot. For senior citizens above 60 years a separate line was made so they didn’t have to wait too long to cast their vote.
This elections saw pink and green polling booths. The pink booths drawing inspiration from the Pink Force Police vehicles which are solely run by women personnel. Green polling booths reiterated an eco-friendly message as the booths were decorated with eco-friendly material. At the Karaswada government primary school coconut palm leaves were woven into heart shapes for it was also Valentine’s Day. The eco-friendly polling station in Karaswada was one of 10 green polling booths set up and were clearly attracting a lot of attention and favorable reviews.
On to March 10 when we will know what awaits Goa, who wins, who loses and who will form the new government of Goa. The last two years have seen a lot of turmoil and people’s mindsets have changed. About 79% of eligible voters excluding postal voters have voted and this will undoubtedly usher in a fresh new change or endorse the assumptions or presumptions of a double-engine government!