ABDULLA KHAN |NT
VALPOI
Traffic congestion and garbage disposal due to non-functional of a garbage treatment plant in Sayyadnagar are the main issues in the ensuing elections in Valpoi.
The haphazard parking issue in Valpoi town has remained unresolved in the last few decades. The failure of the civic body in addressing the problem has compounded the situation with the increase in the number of vehicles. In the meantime, the hapless citizens continue putting up with severe traffic congestion in the town on daily basis and the situation becomes worse on the weekly market day.
Though four candidates are trying their luck from the Valpoi constituency, political analysts feel that the actual battle will be between the Congress candidate Vishwajit Rane and the other three contestants.
Bhartiya Janata Party, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party and Aam Aadmi Party have filed their candidates.
Valpoi constituency comprises five village panchayats – Nagargao, Sanvordem, Khotodem, Guleli and Usgao, and Valpoi Municipality.
While, the Congress claims that it enjoys overwhelming support in the municipal area, BJP and MGP, on other hand, claim that voters are with them in the panchayat areas.
A large number of workers campaigning door-to-door for the Congress candidate could prove him with an edge over other candidates.
Before the 2012 polls, the Valpoi constituency had witnessed drastic facelift, and many youth were allotted government jobs.
The state-of-the-art hospital that was constructed during the Congress regime is still ill-equipped and lacks consultants.
Another issue that is grappling Valpoi is garbage disposal due to the non-functional garbage treatment plant in Sayyadnagar. Presently, garbage is being dumped in the open.
The council has alleged that not a single development works including beautification of kabrastan, crematorium and cemetery, and development of municipal garden and Hathwada playground and widening of bridge connecting the bus stand were cleared by the government.
Political analysts said that “Rane-backed candidates winning the last municipal and ZP polls give a clear indication that he has an edge over the other candidates.”
Even though BJP’s Satyavijay Naik is reported to be gaining ground in the constituency, the MGP candidate Vijay Gaonkar could prove to be a hurdle for him.
The MGP is seen canvassing vigorously in the constituency for its candidate Gaonkar, and this has raised concern in the Congress camp too.
Vijay Gaonkar, who was a panch member, is believed to have a stronghold in Usgao.
Meanwhile, there were many MGP loyalists in Valpoi and the alliance with Goa Suraksha Manch is likely to eat into the BJP votes. Some BJP leaders say that they do not have to worry about the MGP fielding its candidature, and added that loyal BJP voters will secure victory for the party candidate.
The BJP candidate claims that he, along with party cadres, has worked for the people in last 5 years, and will surely grab the seat from the Congress irrespective of the MGP or AAP’s presence in the ring.
“We want clean governance and corruption free state. MLA of this constituency is equally responsible for not co-operating with the government whenever any proposal of development was sought from the constituency” said a voter from Nagargao who further pointed out how development was carried out in Bicholim despite the MLA was in the opposition.
Another voter from Massordem, requesting not to be named, said that a new face should be given a chance to represent the constituency, and now MGP and BJP are the two options before the people.
Meanwhile, a retired headmaster, Mustufa Aga said that Valpoi is also having Alvara land problem and no state government have taken any step to resolve the matter. The MGP has announced that it will be resolving this issue, but I strongly feel all the parties should have listed this issue in their manifesto.
Imran Shaikh from Valpoi said, “The only thing the BJP government has done is to provide some government schemes to the locals. This cannot be called as development. During the last five years, our youth were not allotted a single job. Our constituency was given a step-motherly treatment by the BJP.”
Interestingly, AAP has made its debut in Valpoi through former VMC councillor Ashish Kanekar. Nevertheless, AAP’s Kanekar and MGP’s Gaonkar are both new faces and will have to do a lot of groundwork to impress upon the Valpoi electorate. Congress MLA Vishwajeet Rane had started his campaigning much before the announcement of election dates.
“Usgao is suffering from unemployment and lack of development. We are hoping that after this poll Usgao becomes like Valpoi town,” said a woman from Usgao.