10 Independents are front runners
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 05 March 2012 17:16 ISTAt least ten independent candidates appear to be front runners in the Goa Assembly election, results of which would be declared tomorrow.
The ten makes one fourth of the 40-member Assembly. Five each of these are from North and South Goa.
Most of these candidates are crossing swords with the BJP candidates while Salcete-based Congress heavyweights are facing a direct threat from these independents.
These independents are Naresh Sawal (Bicholim), Pravin Zantye (Mayem), Rohan Khaunte (Porvorim), Tulio D’Souza (Saligao), Nirmala Sawant (Cumbarjua), Govind Gaude (Priol), Vijay Sardesai (Fatorda), Avertano Furtado (Navelim), Benjamin Silva (Velim) and Arjun Salgaoncar (Sanvordem).
Naresh Sawal in Bicholim has suddenly emerged as a front runner, posing a serious threat to Congress candidate Rajesh Patnekar, who had resigned as BJP MLA to get Congress ticket.
Pravin Zantye was denied Congress ticket in Mayem as the constituency was allotted to the NCP. He may spoil chances of sitting BJP MLA Anant Shet, pushing Rudresh Chodankar of the NCP on a back seat.
Tulio D’Souza, who did not take TMC ticket in spite of being Dr Wilfred de Souza’s son-in-law, has worked very hard to fight sitting BJP MLA Dilip Parulekar. NCP’s Suresh Parulekar is far behind.
Rohan Khaunte has taken an edge in Porvorim right from the beginning, though BJP’s late entrant Govind Parvatkar has become quite strong with several groups including Dayanand Narvekar’s Congress group supporting the BJP candidate.
Nirmala Sawant is trying her luck for the second consecutive time as an independent against sitting Congress MLA Pandurang Madkaikar. She lost by 571 votes in 2007, but having better support this time of all the parties as well as village groups.
Govind Gaude, who had contested on Congress ticket in Madkai last time, has emerged as a direct threat to sitting MGP MLA Dipak Dhawalikar in Priol this time. Dhaku Madkaikar of Congress has thus been pushed far behind. The UTTA-led tribals' agitation would help independent Gaude tremendously.
Vijay Sardesai, as Congressman, had lost to BJP’s sitting MLA Damu Naik by 1771 votes in 2007. Though he was denied Congress ticket last minute, the independent is facing danger of split of votes from M K Shaikh of Congress, Piedade Noronha of TMC and independent Arthur D’Silva.
PWD minister Churchill Alemao ha facing a serious threat from independent Avertano Furtado as he has been supported by the BJP as well as several other forces, including former Congress MLA Luizinho Faleiro.
Similarly, water resources minister Filip Neri Rodrigues is in a deep soup due to the threat posed by Benjamin Silva, an independent. After the incident of Church priest being grilled by the police, Neri is facing the heat.
Arjun Salgaoncar in Sanguem is contesting in Sanvordem to replace his father and sitting independent MLA Anil Salgaoncar. Ganesh Gaonkar of the BJP has however posed a serious threat to him.
Few Predictions about Goa Elections 2012(Independent views- Based on peoples opinions and medias coverage. Not influenced by a political party/Representative)
1)Vijai Sardesai might win in Fatorda owing to his appeal to all class and religious groups.
2)Churchill Alemao will definitly win in Navelim.
3)Digambar Kamat too wil win but by a wafer thin majority in Margao.
4)Cumbharjua tough fight for father Bismarque.( Test to see if the people of goa have faith and beleive in Independent Candidates).
5)Valanka too will win in Benaulim.
6)Mickey Pacheco too shall triumph.
7)Alemaos "might" be king makers or even CM
8)MGP might return back to Congress.
well, at the last hour i will say even if averton losses with a small margin he is young and long way to go , but if the sitting mla and minister losses he will be finished and am hoping all the best for goa and navelim, and for averton furtado