Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: In a fresh shake-up of Canacona’s political equations, former Loliem-Polem sarpanch and Pagi community leader Shailesh Pagui, once a trusted aide of ex-minister Isidore Fernandes, has declared that he will contest the Poinguinim Zilla Panchayat seat independently, asserting that he needs “no political godfathers” and that “people are my leaders.”
Pagui, who served as sarpanch from 2012 to 2022, said he decided to jump into the electoral race after persistent appeals from villagers, especially the youth. “I have confronted several threats to our environment over the years and want to continue protecting it for future generations. Youth and locals have been persuading me to contest, and I am doing this for their betterment,” he said.
He criticised former minister Isidore Fernandes’ decision to join the Goa Forward Party, calling it a move that has unsettled the public. “People do not want parties to represent their concerns. They want someone who understands their aspirations. They are now strongly rallying behind me, urging me to be their voice,” Pagui said.
Recalling his earlier efforts to safeguard Bhagwati Pattar from the proposed IIT project, Pagui warned that the same site is once again under threat, this time from a film city proposal allegedly backed by BJP leaders. He also highlighted a series of environmental concerns affecting Poinguinim, Khotigao and Gaondongrim.
Pagui said he has already resumed campaigning across all villages under the Poinguinim ZP constituency and will file his nomination papers on Monday, calling himself the “people’s candidate.”
“Protecting the natural environment remains my top priority. My leadership comes from the people. I don’t have any leader above them. As always, I will stand firmly with my people whenever the environment is threatened,” he said.
