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.

 

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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 Oâ??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

Goaâ??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 â?? 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.