Two seats, 1.18 million voters and 16 candidates are up for grabs. This is the equation as seen for the minimal state. Although it started as a triangular contest, it eventually turned into a three-way battle. bjp and congress. TOI conducts SWOT analysis of key candidates to understand their winning quotient
Shripad Naik
strength
Naik’s grassroots political attitude, clean image and affinity with voters have endeared him to voters for five consecutive terms.
As a prominent leader of the Bhandari Society, he played an important role in the growth of the BJP in Goa. Naik is respected and admired by the party rank and file.
weakness
Naik was criticized for failing to capitalize on his position at the Center in Goa, where he was elected center minister for three terms. He was also criticized for not raising the Goa issue in Parliament.
Chance
The BJP’s strong legislative strength in North Goa, backed by an equally strong party electoral machinery, could work in Naik’s favour. If Narke wins this time, he will break the record he holds with Congressman Eduardo Falero of representing Goa’s Lok Sabha seat for five consecutive terms.
threaten
Emotional issues such as Mahathir’s transfer, mining and employment, which the opposition has been focusing on, coupled with anti-incumbency elements, are some of the landmines Naik may encounter on his way to victory.
Ramakant Harrap
strength
As former Deputy Chief Minister and Union Law Minister. Khalap has a very recognizable face. Even though he has been out of politics for 25 years. He has good connections in Pernem, Mandrem, Prim and Mapusa.
weakness
Failure to connect with young voters. The Congress organization itself has been weakened and pales in comparison to the BJP’s well-functioning poll machinery. Infighting within Congress also added to the unease.
Chance
Anti-incumbency factors can be exploited. Many people feel that Shripad Naik has not performed well. They want a reliable option.
threaten
Mapusa Urban Cooperative Bank collapsed. Many savers are still feeling the pain of not getting all their money back. The RGP will also cut Khalap’s vote share.
hand palab
strength
Having a finger on the pulse and the ability to connect with disillusioned and unemployed young people. Age is on his side.
weakness
Prone to outbursts and tirade against immigrants. His policies were seen as nonconformist and regressive.
Chance
After securing 10% vote share in the assembly elections, the Lok Sabha campaign is an opportunity to reconnect with voters and prepare for the next assembly elections so that they are not ignored.
threaten
Perceptions of splitting votes and working for the BJP. A radical image could scare off centrist and urban voters.
palavidengbo
strength
The BJP, which hails from one of Goa’s oldest business families, hopes the goodwill generated by the Dembo family and its patronage of football will win votes for Pallavi to capture the South Goa seat.
weakness
As a newbie in politics, Dembo was unable to express his opinion on issues concerning the people and mostly let the chief minister, party president and others do the talking.
Chance
The numbers are in favor of the BJP, with 15 of the 20 MLAs from the south siding with the party. Moreover, the BJP has also received support from the MGP this time. If Pallavi wins, the BJP can create history by fielding the first woman candidate from Goa to the Lok Sabha.
threaten
The underlying trend of dissatisfaction and distrust against the party, the archbishop’s notification and the party’s inability to break into the Christian-dominated Salsette taluka could work against her.
Viriato Fernandez
strength
Viriato, a Navy veteran, is highly respected by a significant segment of the population. Before becoming a politician, his history of activism led the Congress to consider him Goa’s “saviour”.
weakness
With the Congress reduced to just two MLAs in South Goa, it will be a tough task for the party to catch up with the BJP in terms of organizational network and financial and other resources.
Chance
Viriato had radical groups backing him. Moreover, the Congress is banking on Salseth, who is traditionally loyal to the Congress, to retain the South Goa seat.
threaten
The BJP’s counterattack over Viryato’s “anti-constitutional” remarks has to some extent undermined the Congress party’s poll results. The delay in announcing its candidacy gave the party insufficient time to canvass votes.
Shripad Naik
strength
Naik’s grassroots political attitude, clean image and affinity with voters have endeared him to voters for five consecutive terms.
As a prominent leader of the Bhandari Society, he played an important role in the growth of the BJP in Goa. Naik is respected and admired by the party rank and file.
weakness
Naik was criticized for failing to capitalize on his position at the Center in Goa, where he was elected center minister for three terms. He was also criticized for not raising the Goa issue in Parliament.
Chance
The BJP’s strong legislative strength in North Goa, backed by an equally strong party electoral machinery, could work in Naik’s favour. If Narke wins this time, he will break the record he holds with Congressman Eduardo Falero of representing Goa’s Lok Sabha seat for five consecutive terms.
threaten
Emotional issues such as Mahathir’s transfer, mining and employment, which the opposition has been focusing on, coupled with anti-incumbency elements, are some of the landmines Naik may encounter on his way to victory.
Ramakant Harrap
strength
As former Deputy Chief Minister and Union Law Minister. Khalap has a very recognizable face. Even though he has been out of politics for 25 years. He has good connections in Pernem, Mandrem, Prim and Mapusa.
weakness
Failure to connect with young voters. The Congress organization itself has been weakened and pales in comparison to the BJP’s well-functioning poll machinery. Infighting within Congress also added to the unease.
Chance
Anti-incumbency factors can be exploited. Many people feel that Shripad Naik has not performed well. They want a reliable option.
threaten
Mapusa Urban Cooperative Bank collapsed. Many savers are still feeling the pain of not getting all their money back. The RGP will also cut Khalap’s vote share.
hand palab
strength
Having a finger on the pulse and the ability to connect with disillusioned and unemployed young people. Age is on his side.
weakness
Prone to outbursts and tirade against immigrants. His policies were seen as nonconformist and regressive.
Chance
After securing 10% vote share in the assembly elections, the Lok Sabha campaign is an opportunity to reconnect with voters and prepare for the next assembly elections so that they are not ignored.
threaten
Perceptions of splitting votes and working for the BJP. A radical image could scare off centrist and urban voters.
palavidengbo
strength
The BJP, which hails from one of Goa’s oldest business families, hopes the goodwill generated by the Dembo family and its patronage of football will win votes for Pallavi to capture the South Goa seat.
weakness
As a newbie in politics, Dembo was unable to express his opinion on issues concerning the people and mostly let the chief minister, party president and others do the talking.
Chance
The numbers are in favor of the BJP, with 15 of the 20 MLAs from the south siding with the party. Moreover, the BJP has also received support from the MGP this time. If Pallavi wins, the BJP can create history by fielding the first woman candidate from Goa to the Lok Sabha.
threaten
The underlying trend of dissatisfaction and distrust against the party, the archbishop’s notification and the party’s inability to break into the Christian-dominated Salsette taluka could work against her.
Viriato Fernandez
strength
Viriato, a Navy veteran, is highly respected by a significant segment of the population. Before becoming a politician, his history of activism led the Congress to consider him Goa’s “saviour”.
weakness
With the Congress reduced to just two MLAs in South Goa, it will be a tough task for the party to catch up with the BJP in terms of organizational network and financial and other resources.
Chance
Viriato had radical groups backing him. Moreover, the Congress is banking on Salseth, who is traditionally loyal to the Congress, to retain the South Goa seat.
threaten
The BJP’s counterattack over Viryato’s “anti-constitutional” remarks has to some extent undermined the Congress party’s poll results. The delay in announcing its candidacy gave the party insufficient time to canvass votes.
