http://www.navhindtimes.com/stories.php?part=news&Story_ID=031012
Candidates backed by parties on their toes Sheikh Jamaludin Wards 21 to 25 Panaji March 9: Despite the fever of corporation elections gripping Panaji, the sense of insecurity lingers at the back of the minds of the voters. And this is going to be the deciding factor for those candidates who have entered the fray backed by the political parties. With barely a day left for campaigning and with most residents being office goers, the candidates of both panels, Panaji Development Front (PDF) and Panel for Progress(PFP) are finding it tough to reach every one. With the problems of garbage dumping, primitive sewage system, no adequate water supply, no uninterrupted power supply, no proper parking place and continuous digging of roads and above all dust pollution, staring at the faces of the electorate of wards from 21 to 25, the candidates are vying each other in promising the moon. For Ms Poonam Salgaonkar contesting from ward number 21 setting up of a health club-cum-gymnasium in joggers' park would be her top most priority. Her opponent Ms Sushila Gawas promises to work for the maintenance of the government quarters and also to solve the slum problems. In this ward number, with a total of 1148 votes it is going to be the straight fight. In ward 22 which has 1153 voters, while Mr Mangaldas Naik is for providing a footpath next to the road leading to Altinho from the Panaji Church and clearing the jungle behind the Government Polytechnic, for Mr Abhishek Pai the priority is to get rid of the existing sewage system at the Monte Pio hill,construct a bus stop at Nirmala Institute and provide a rickshaw stand at Altinho. The third candidate is Mr Joseph Claro Dias Sapeco. In ward no 23 having 1225 votes it is going to be a straight fight between Mr Rudresh Chodankar and John Rodrigues. While Mr Chodankar will ensure that a corruption free, performance oriented corparation emerges after the election, Mr Rodrigues believes in doing the social work but his priority is to provide proper sanitation and construct speed breakers at the school junction. In this ward 24 having total of 1039 votes six ladies trying their luck. They are Ms Lalan Surlakar, Ms Diksha Mayenkar, Ms Cardozo Mariapaula, Ms Manda Sadanand Shetye, Ms Vaishali Nitin Shetye, Ms Shalini Bhiva Usgaonkar. Mr Shamu Trivikram Silimkhan from ward 25 having 1351 votes promises to solve the traffic problem and carry out the beautification programme. Mr Shantaram Kundaikar will provide a retaining wall to the residents who houses face threat during monsoon season. Ms Nazima Godinhoa and Mr Rajesh Keluskar are also in the fray. -- TUMCHER AXIRVAD ASSUM; DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England Comment: With the recent disturbances in Cuchorem, do not l be surprised, at all, if the BJP candidates are rejected out of hand. Monserrate should romp in and will then take it as having been given a green light by the electorate to carve up Panjim as he likes.
