The Ranes, Alemaos, the Monserattes and the Naiks. This election has all but boiled down to the control of these four families from four different parts of the State. If they actually pull off their seats, all four families will take a serious shot at having their member as the next Chief Minister of Goa. It will remain a big “if” though with the rebellion brewing in most of these constituencies.
These four families will have either their family members or candidates personally loyal to them in 16 seats. The Ranes will hold sway in the extreme North of Sattari, Pernem and Bicholim, the Naiks in Ponda and adjoining areas, the Alemaos in Salcete (plus Sanguem) and the Monserrates in Tiswadi. They, jointly, will corner almost 50 per cent of the tickets.
Out of the total 33 seats, 14 will go to four families. The power of these families extends to its alliance member NCP too. In addition, two from the families are likely to wear the NCP “uniform”, a clear indication of their political muscle.
The Rane family has taken the major chunk of the seats managing to control six out of the 33 seats, including the father–son fiefdom of Valpoi and Poriem.
The junior Rane has also managed to get tickets for his BJP imports Rajesh Patnekar from Bicholim and Dayanand Sopte from Mandrem.
Besides he already has his man Pratap Gauns in Sanquelim while Vishwajit will also in all probability get the Siolim seat for his aide Uday Palyekar.
The second dominating family is the Alemaos who will get four seats.
While Churchill and Joaquim have been confirmed from Navelim and Cuncolim respectively while Valanka will get the Congress ticket from Benaulim in next phase besides an NCP ticket has been promised to Joaquim’s son Yuri from Sanguem.
Controversial Taleigao legislator Babush Monserrate is also in the fray for family rajya as he has three seats in his pocket.
While his candidature has been announced from St Cruz, his aide and Panjim mayor Yatin Parekh has been given a ticket from Panjim while Jennifer Monserrate (Babush’s wife) will get the Taleigao Congress ticket in the next phase.
The Naik family from Ponda is also not far behind as the father and at least one of the sons Ritesh getting a ticket with the other Roy, a serious contender from the NCP quota.
While for now only Ravi is confirmed from Ponda, his elder son Riteish will get the Congress ticket from Madkai while the younger one is front-runner for the NCP ticket from Mayem.
This move by the Congress has not only upset the partymen but also the general public.
A few of the partymen Herald spoke to are disappointed by the party decision.
However, the families say their decision to field their near and dear ones is justified.
“If a doctor’s child can be a doctor, a tailor’s son can be a tailor, why can’t politicians’ children be politicians,” said PWD Minister Churchill Alemao adding “What is wrong in this? Not only four if even more people from our family want to do social work what is wrong in it?”
Well, if only politics was just about social work and not family upliftment.