MAPUSA: Political developments on Sunday made one thing clear for Mapxekars that this time it’s going to be a very close polling battle in the constituency which always seemed a cakewalk for former MLA Francis D’Souza , who normally won by record-setting winning margins.This time, the BJP is not taking it lightly. Hours after Sudhir Kandolkar quit his 20-year-old association with the party and joined Congress on Sunday, BJP convened a meeting of its Mapusa block at its North Goa district office at Mapusa. The meeting was chaired by chief minister Pramod Sawant and attended by chairperson, Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), Ryan Braganza, MMC councillors, president, Mapusa block mandal, Damodar Lanjekar and other committee members.Political observers say that the immediate meeting was to avoid any poaching of MMC councillors or the Mapusa block members by Kandolkar as he has a good connect and relationship with everyone. After quitting BJP, Kandolkar had expressed confidence that at least half of the councillors will be with him.Kandolkar’s entry has boosted Congress’ prospects manifold in the Mapusa bypoll. The party is yet to open its account in Mapusa constituency. In 2007 and 2012, Congress and NCP were in alliance and the ticket was given to NCP. In 2017, the Congress symbol was on the ballot paper in Mapusa constituency. Vijay Bhike contested on the Congress ticket and stood third, after BJP and MGP. Bhike had been declared the Congress candidate just 14 days before the election.The election results will show whether the Lotus continues to bloom in Mapusa for the fifth consecutive term or the hand claims its maiden victory in the Bardez town. An interesting battle is definitely on the cards when the two sitting councillors, Joshua D’Souza and Kandolkar - one a first-time councillor and the other a veteran - take on each other. It may be pointed out here that Braganza was voted as MMC chairperson with support from both, Joshua and Kandolkar.

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