Goemkarponn Desk/Gaurang Prabhu
MARGAO: The Supreme Court verdict on the municipal reservations in five municipalities is set to dent the spirit of the Vibrant Margao panel, supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
After the verdict of Supreme Court the faith of several candidates for Margao Municipal Council hangs in balance especially from the Vibrant Margao panel.
The Apex Court verdict means there would be new changes in reservations, which was believed to have been done to suit the BJP-supported candidates.
However, one opines that even the slightest amendments to the reservations, especially in Margao, may cause a tsunami in BJP camp.
Sources in BJP reveal that there could be irreversible political damage/revolt in the ruling panel.
On the other hand, there there may not be much effect on the other panels as they have already managed to place their candidates in such a manner that it will not have much effect even if there is a switch in wards.
Goa Forward camp seems to be happiest with the verdict as they had to adjust and change the ward of many candidates. They can now switch over and select wards of their choice.
It is understood that the Goa Forward camp had taken all precautions to prevent damaged caused by revolt of few workers and outgoing councillors except in one ward they faced revolt .
After the verdict Digamber Kamat camp also looks elated.
In the BJP however, there seems to be sense of worry in many of BJP heavy weights from Margao as there wards can go for reservation specially in Comba and Malbhat.
Chairman of the BJP backed Vibrant Margao Damu Naik said that a fresh exercise on ward reservation may not have huge bearing on the candidates.
“I do not think that the panel will face any difficulties in addressing the issue. The issue of candidates will be addressed at the right time,” he says.
Ketan Kurtarkar, Vibrant Margao candidate from ward no 13, says It is Supreme Court decision, everyone has to abide by it.
“There is no effect on me, as voters have seen my activities for last 5 years in my ward 13. I will win with thumping majority of votes,” he said.
Lakhs of rupees wasted
After Supreme Court judgement, candidates who were in the fray have lost lakhs of rupees which was spent on luring the voters during campaign.
In one ward of Margao Municipality huge amount of fish was supplied to voter by one candidate.
There were good days to hotels, bar and restaurants and voters in an around Khareband, Jakniband, Colmorod Azad Nagri, Moti Dongor Fakriband, the flow of alcohol was faster then water in PWD taps in municipality areas.
Few young entrepreneurs who are trying their luck in this municipality election have been spending since lock down supplying commodities, sanitation, cleaning the ward area few have even started constructing gutters.
Citizens say it was completely wrong on the part of government to file SLP’s in Supreme Court using taxpayers money.
“Who will pay the money wasted by the Government while fighting the case in Supreme Court ask the citizens,” he said.
