FESTIVAL OF DEMOCRACY…
2017 Sanguem result…
Candidate Party Votes Vote P.C
Prasad S Gaonkar Ind 7636 33.98%
Subhash Phal Dessai BJP 6699 29.81%
Savitri Kavlekar INC 5736 25.52%
Goemkarponn desk
SANGUEM: As is the case across the State, the infightings for the party candidature have become a significant cause of concern for the Bharatiya Janata Party in the Sanguem constituency.
The BJP is currently facing a dilemma of whom to give tickets in many constituencies like Panaji, Siolim, Cumbharjua, Sanguem as there is more than one string contender.
In Sanguem now, there is a vertical split in the party over teh candidature issue.
The BJP now has two strong contenders in Sanguem, but instead, it has become a disadvantage for the party as Savitri Kavlekar and Subash Phaldesai are both gunning for each others head.
While the sitting MLA Prasad Gaonkar, an independent, is still not stable on which party to contest as he has had short affairs with Congress as well as Trinamool Congress. It is now learnt that he is going back to Congress after being critical of the grand old party.
It is needless to say that former MLA Subash Phaldesai and Savitri Kavlekar, wife of Dy CM Babu Kavlekar, are firm favourites to win the elections, and the workers now pin hopes on the 
BJP State president Sadanand Shet Tanawade to take an unbiased decision without any political pressure in the interest of the party.
Sources reveal that Tanawade and other BJP functionaries have to avoid another BJP v/s BJP tussle.
It is confirmed that the ticket would go to one of the two leaders, Phaldesai or Kavlekar, and both have started their work from the constituency in a big way.
“There is a vertical split due to indifferences in party workers, and hence some senior leaders are supporting Savitri Kavlekar,” sources said.
The two leaders have become opponents of each other in the BJP.
On the other hand, the present MLA Prasad Gaonkar has quietly continued his campaign.
Till now the advantage is with BJP in the constituency unless they settle the dispute at the earliest.
BJP District Panchayat Member Suresh Kepekar of Sanguem constituency said, “we all need to stand behind the person who has worked sincerely for the last five years to carry forward the work of BJP party.”
Kepekar was indirectly indicating that the party must stand by Faldesai.
He also appealed to the workers of the Sanguem constituency to put aside their differences.
BJP State president Sadanand Shet Tanawade said that the party will take the correct decision at the right time.
“Right now, talks are on, and we are trying to diffuse the issue at the local level. When the time comes, we will intervene and resolve the problem,” he said.
The Arithmetics..
While Prasad Gaonkar won the elections in 2017 it was by a slender margin of just 900+ votes.
He had polled 7636 votes, and Subash was second with 6699 votes. Savitri Kavlekar was also not very far behind, with 5736 votes.
However, now the equations have changed with Prasad Gaonkar undecisive and Savitri Kavlekar moving from Congress to BJP, people are weighing their options.
However, Savitri seems to have little advantage as her husband is a Dy Chief MInister in the current dispensation, and through him, she has carried out lots of work in the constituency.
