To minimise the BJPs impact in Bardez, Michael started campaigning in the Bardez taluka. As he concentrated more in these constituencies, the BJP had already started making inroads in Lobos own bastion the Calangute constituency and started talks with Joseph Sequeirs.
Thinking that Gurudas Shitodkar would be a weak opponent, Lobo never felt any threat from BJP and had started taking things lightly but to his nightmare, BJP had some other plans.
Now, Lobo, though a firm favourite still, will have to fasten the belt and take things seriously as Joseph is no weak candidate. He has ruled Calangute panchayat for 30 years and knows the in and out of constituency.
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
GAME ON:
After the former Minister and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo left the party high and dry just a month before the crucial election, the BJP was staring at sure defeat in the seat it held for two terms.
The BJP, in a knee jerk reaction, tried to rope in as many people to tackle the threat
Simultaneously it also started checking the activities of Michael Lobo in neighbouring constituencies of Saligao, Porvorim, Mapusa, Aldona & Siolim where Lobo had started posing a threat to the saffron brigade.
To minimise the BJPs impact in Bardez, Michael started campaigning in the Bardez taluka. As he concentrated more in these constituencies, the BJP had already started making inroads in Lobos own bastion the Calangute constituency and started talks with Joseph Sequeirs.
Thinking that Gurudas Shitodkar would be a weak opponent, Lobo never felt any threat from BJP and had started taking things lightly but to his nightmare, BJP had some other plans.
Now, Lobo, though a firm favourite still, will have to fasten the belt and take things seriously as Joseph is no weak candidate. He has ruled Calangute panchayat for 30 years and knows the in and out of constituency.
Though he lost in panchayat elections last time, he will have the advantage that he starts with 4000+ BJP votes, which will be transferred to him automatically.
Of course, Sequeira has too little time left and has to cover the entire constituency in just 15-odd days, but to his credit, he is a well-known face.
It’s GAME ON in Calangute, and no way it is going to be a one-sided battle or victory for Michael Lobo.
Interestingly, the Aam Admi Party will be biggest threat to Lobo as their candidate will cut majority of Congress votes in Calangute besides the Trinamool Cingress candidate Anthony Menezes too will cut the mjnority votes, who otherwise would have traditionally voted for Congress.
True, Lobo has done lots of development work and helped many people but Joseph Sequeira is no mugs with politics.
It was Sequeira with who’s effort in 2012 Michael had defeated Agnel Fernandes, who was two time MLA then.
Moreover, Sequeira was also the front runner for BJP ticket in 2012 but due to support of Dilip Parulekar, Dayanand Mandrekar and Francis D’Souza the ticket went to Lobo.
Despite the denial of tickets, Sequeira worked for Lobo’s victory and Angels defeat.
But within a few months, Lobo started interfering in Calangute village matters which irked Sequeira and thus the friends-turned foes.
Lobos, the third straight aim at Calangute seat, becomes much more difficult as he fights all three former friends- Joseph Sequeira, Anthony Menezes and Sudesh Mayekar.
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