Sanvordem constituency is often not thought of too much when discussing Goa’s political equations. Located in the newly created Dharbandora taluka with the entire taluka encompassing a single constituency, Sanvordem is currently represented by Deepak Prabhu Pauskar — elected on an MGP ticket but currently in the BJP at the cost of former party’s leader Sudin Dhavalikar.
A first time MLA, who had the fortune of becoming a minister — a PWD minister thanks to some clever political machinations Pauskar, it appears has some big boots to fill. And if there’s one constant complaint about the current BJP government it is the quality (or lack thereof) of roads throughout the state.
As PWD minister Pauskar is facing the flack for being completely unable to handle the many issues that are on his plate — proper roads, uninterrupted water supply among others. And the blame is falling on the BJP government as whole not just Pauskar in particular.
Pauskar may not be a novice, but he largely benefitted from an anti-BJP wave in 2017 when he defeated then sitting BJP MLA Ganesh Gaonkar by around 5,000 votes to win the seat for the MGP after a gap of 23 years. Pauskar was initially not made a minister by Pauskar and was instead offered the GSIDC position until he decided to ditch the party that made him an MLA and chose the BJP’s offer over loyalty to his party.
Is he regretting his decision yet? Perhaps, because as things stand, Pauskar is facing anti incumbency among his voters as well as a danger that pressure from within the BJP — especially from the camp loyal to former Sanvordem MLA and current Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar who will be batting for their own man to be given the BJP ticket.
But the one contender the BJP and the MGP won’t have to deal with, is Anil Salgaocar. The former independent MLA and mine owner has passed away abroad. Salgaocar contested several elections before finally winning in 2007 after defeating Vinay Tendulkar. He however, barely attended the house of made himself famous by having the highest absenteeism among MLAs during that tenure also didn’t take up any issues of public importance or consequence and besides the fact that he was a mine owner with money to spend, there was little else of note that he is remembered for.
The question now is what is in store for the constituency — will Vinay use the influence he has in the constituency to ensure that the person he wants is nominated? Will Pauskar be sidelined? Will parties other than the BJP and MGP ever have a shot at winning this constituency given that it’s more than three decades since this constituency was represented by someone from a party other than the BJP, MGP and independents (Salgaocar).
Might pretty much be a lost cause, unless one of the many parties now in Goa spring surprise.
By – Andrea Fernandes
