Tough fight in Bicholim as 68 candidates battle for 14 seats

BICHOLIM: The Bicholim

Municipal

Council (BMC) will witness a multi-cornered contest for the

Bicholim

municipal council, with as many as 68 candidates vying to be part of the 14-member municipal body. Following the redrawing of wards, the number of wards has been increased to 14 from the earlier 12.

BJP has fielded candidates in all the 14 wards, while Together for Bicholim - belonging to former Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal - has fielded 12. Similarly, the Bicholim Vision panel, which is supported by ophthalmologist Dr Chandrakant Shetye and former Latambarcem ZP member Sanjay Shetye has fielded candidates in 12 wards.

In addition, Bicholim taluka Vikas Parishad, which is supported by Goa Suraksha Manch (of former RSS chief Subhash Velingkar), is fighting in six wards, Congress is supporting six candidates, while there are 18 candidates contesting as independents.

Interestingly, five of the 68 candidates own catering businesses and are hopeful that the goodwill they have among the people will hold them in good stead during the election. Also, 13 candidates are the former councillors, of which two are wives of former councillors.

Political observers opine that the role of Bicholim MLA Rajesh Patnekar, who is speaker of the legislative assembly, is of crucial importance for the ruling party. Sources say that while Patnekar is not openly seen campaigning due enforcement of the code of conduct, however, he is subtly supporting candidates of the BJP-backed panel.

In comparison, chief minister Pramod Sawant is solidly backing the BJP panel by participating in corner meetings.

Analysts say that given the present scenario, the contest could be very close in many wards. A few of the sitting councillors could also face a tough fight.

Initially, it appeared that the BJP-supported panel would easily be able to hold sway over the town, however, although the opposition is not united, a determined bid is being made to fight the saffron force. For some it is a matter of personal interest to defeat the BJP-supported candidates, mainly due to the interference of BJP’s organising secretry Satish Dhond in some wards.

In BMC’s last term, 10 of the 12 councillors of the ruling council were from the BJP-backed panel. Satish alias Rajaram Gaonkar’s uninterrupted run as chairperson brought about stability to the council. However, there were five deputy chairpersons, with Ajit Birje, Chaitanya Teli, Gurudatt Pal, Vijaykumar Natekar and Kundan Falari holding the post for one year, following a mutual understanding.

Gaonkar said that the major works undertaken by BMC over the past five years and that the “BMC had not burdened the people by increasing taxes”.

Among the major demands by citizens are the construction and completion of the sewage treatment plant, setting up of a Ravindra Bhavan with an auditorium in Bicholim, and periodical cleaning and covering of gutters.