Goans flock booths, polling for 40 members Legislative Assembly

June 02: Amidst tight security polling in 1000 booths began today throughout picturesque Goa which is also known for the political defections.

 

More than 10.10 Lakh Goans are expected to elect the 40-member State legislative assembly from 202 candidates in a single phase election.

 

Goa is expected to witness a close battle between the ruling Congress party and the Bhartiya Janata Party. BJP would try to improve its presence in the state in the wake of humiliating defeat in Hindi heartland-UP-last month. Congress will try its best to save its face by retaining the power.

 

Besides six former chief ministers, leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar (Panaji), speaker Fransisco Sardinha (Curtorim) and chief minister Pratapsinh Rane are in the fray.

 

Central paramilitary forces along with state police have been deployed adequately throughout the state especially around 1000 booths to keep a close watch on polling.

 

Polling started at 7 O’clock in the morning and will be over at 5 PM and counting will take place on June five.

 

The main contest is between Congress and BJP but Goa’s oldest regional party Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party is expected to increase its tally in next state assembly. The party ruled the tiny state for 17 years and won five Assembly elections post-Goa liberation in 1961 but later on was known for defections rather than its political strength. Anybody who is somebody in the Goan politics was associated with MGP at some point of time. Goa's Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane and state Congress President Ravi Naik are no exceptions.

 

Congress-Nationalist Congress Party combine is contesting 38 seats, BJP 33, MJP 26, Communist Party of India 4, Goa Suraj Party 1, Janata Dal-S 12, Republican Party of India (A) 4, United Goans Democratic Party 11, Shiv Sena 7 and former Congress parliamentarian Churchill Alemao led Save Goa Front 17 seats.

 

In three constituencies -- Panaji, Velim and Poinguinim – Congress and BJP are in direct contest, while importance of other political forces are expected to play main role in Poriem, Valpoi, Shiroda, Loutolim, Benaulim, Curtorim and Navelim constituencies.