PANAJI: The results of the February 14 assembly election may throw up many surprises for political parties hoping to form the next government.
Many sitting MLAs, including some ministers, may face defeat owing to various factors such as arrogance of candidates, mismanagement by their key persons in constituencies,
defection
, and anti-incumbency.
Different constituencies have different political equations and accordingly, people have different reasons for why their candidates could get defeated. In one constituency in North Goa, people are upset with the sitting MLA’s arrogance.
“We had strongly rallied behind him during the last election. But after getting elected, he has been rude and arrogant with the people of the constituency. Only because of this attitude his chances of winning have turned bleak,” a local told TOI.
In another constituency, mismanagement by the MLA’s supporters was the talk of the town on voting day.
“We have no issues with the MLA. But his supporters have made it difficult for him by messing up with the people and neglecting them. They have not conveyed the problems of the people to him. How will the MLA know what is happening on the ground if he is not well informed? This disconnect with people is not very healthy,” a resident of North Goa said.
The decision of an MLA to defect has not gone well with the people of a constituency in South Goa.
“We had got him elected on a party ticket thinking that he would remain loyal to the people and the party. He did not even take the people in his constituency into confidence before taking such a drastic step. If the MLA cannot respect the sentiment of the people, then it is better that we give an opportunity to another candidate,” a local and a strong supporter of the MLA said.
In another constituency, the local MLA, despite reaching out to his people, is facing anti-incumbency.
People from a North Goa constituency lamented that only party workers have got all their work done through the MLA.
“Tell me the reason why we should elect the MLA. Only the party workers and their relatives' work has been done. Let them only vote for him,” an angry youth said.