High voter participation in South Goa 78.2 percent of voters cast ballots by the close of polling at 6 p.m. has made numerous heavyweight politicians nervous and political experts cautious in their assessments. Except for minor conflicts between supporters of competing candidates, polling was quiet, with no significant poll-related incidences of law and order reported from any portion of South Goa.
Tension was seen at a polling station in Rumdamol housing board, Davorlim, Navelim constituency, on two occasions, prompting police intervention. In the first example, a statement made by a candidate’s brother sparked retaliation from a group of voters, resulting in chaos before police intervened and restored order.
On the second occasion, AAP candidate Pratima Coutinho and independent Digvijit Chavan accused TMC candidate Valanka Alemao and her sister of money distribution.
Almost all of the polling stalls in South Goa had moderate to significant lines. Outside a polling booth in Moti Dongor, Margao, a slum area, tense moments were witnessed as BJP candidate and deputy chief minister Manohar Ajgaonkar and his opponent, opposition leader Digambar Kamat, came practically face to face.
Ajgaonkar was irritated by the presence of a considerable number of supporters of his opponent’s candidacy just meters from the polling booth, and he confronted the police about it. Voter.
While Kamat is pitted against Ajgaonkar in Margao, GFP president Vijai Sardesai faces an arduous struggle from BJP general secretary Damodar Naik in neighboring Fatorda. Political pundits believe that while the chances are stacked against the BJP in Margao, Sardesai and Naik are locked in a tight race in Fatorda.
Sardesai’s victory will bolster Congress’ power in Fatorda, where GFP has formed a pre-poll pact with Congress. On the other hand, his failure would jeopardize the fortunes of his regional party. A victory for Kamat in Margao would enlarge his halo of invincibility and solidify his status as a regional satrap in his own right.
Political experts in other sections of Salcete are cautious in their projections. The multi-cornered election is likely to see a split in votes, as even the tiniest shift of votes due to the fluid political dynamics might throw their poll calculations astray.
Traditional Congress votes are anticipated to be split among AAP, TMC, NCP, and independents in Velim, Cuncolim, Nuvem, Navelim, Curtorim, and Benaulim.
Political observers in Canacona believe that a three-way split in traditional BJP votes – between BJP candidate Ramesh Tawadkar and rebel independents Vijai Pai Khot and Isidore Fernandes – could sway the outcome in either direction. However, the possibility of Congress candidate Janardhan Bhandari emerging as a dark horse cannot be ruled out.
Political commentators believe that the higher-than-average turnout in the hinterland and mining belt – Sanguem, Sanvordem, Curchorem, and Quepem – indicates that voters have expressed their dissatisfaction with the current parliamentarians.
“The huge voter turnout is an indicator of change,” said Prabhakar Timble, a former state election commissioner. “This is a substantially bigger turnout than expected.” On election day, the ruling party is likely to face even more severe upsets.”
Will South Goa’s long-standing allegiance to Congress enable it to take control of the next government, or will the BJP win? The answer is hidden in the electronic voting machines and will be revealed on March 10. government and one CM for five years? This remains to be seen in the future.
Published By – Pawan Rajput
Edited By – Mahi Gupta
