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Margao, May 24: Will the Lotus bloom once again in Fatorda due to a split in the secular vote? This question is doing the rounds of Fatorda constituency as the Congress has set out to regain its hold over the seat, which it lost to the BJP in the 2002 polls because of a division in its traditional vote bank.

But, the challenge before the Congress isn’t simple and easy. Faced with internal dissidence and infightings, the Congress has a task cut out to not only keep its flock rally behind the official candidate, but take the battle in the BJP camp.

In the fray are six candidates — sitting BJP MLA Damu Naik, his Congress challenger, Vijay Sardessai, UaGDP nominee Ibrahim Maulana, MGP’s Ramdas Hazare, Save Goa Front’s Camilo Barretto and Independent Piedade Norohna.

On paper, the BJP appears sitting pretty, confident to retain its hold over its traditional vote bank, hopeful that MGP’s Hazare would not make a major dent in its bastion.

The Congress camp, on the other hand, is keeping its fingers crossed over the presence of UGDP’s Ibrahim, SGF’s Camilo Barretto and Independent Piedade Norohna in the fray. For, the party is well aware that these three candidates along with Vijay Sardessai will vie for the same political space, which might cost the party dearly.

A similar situation had ruined the party’s chances in the 2002 polls, when former Sports Minister, Monte Cruz polled around 4000 votes, defeating three-time MLA Luis Alex Cardozo, and helping the BJP to bloom in Fatorda.

All the six candidates has hit the poll campaign in right earnest, with the sitting BJP MLA Damu Naik seeking a second term on the plank of stability and development. Unfazed by the sustained campaign by the opposition, terming him incompetent and a non-performing MLA, Naik is asking for votes for his loyalty, stability, accessibility and development.

“I have been instrumental in spending Rs 100 crores in Fatorda constituency. Claims that Fatorda lagged behind on the development front is mischieous and misleading”, he says, even as Naik disclosed plans to take up major projects such as an ultra-modern bus stand, parking lots, beautification of Fatorda lake et al in his second term.

But, the opposition appears unconvinced about the sitting MLA’s claims. “He is inefficient and incapable. Naik should show where he has spent Rs 100 crore. Visit Goulliwaddo ward and see the terrible state of affairs”, asserted UGDP candidate Maulana Ibrahim.

Ibrahim’s decision to jump the electoral fray has raised apprehensions of a split in the near 4000 Muslim vote. But, the leading fish merchat says he is not contesting to split the Congress vote, but to win the polls.

The presence of Independent candidate Piedade Norohna, has caused heartburns in the Congress camp. A member of the powerfull Scheduled Tribe Community, Norohna do not see eye-to-eye with Vijay Sardessai and had launched her campaign well in advance on the NCP banner. Both Norohna and Sardessai along with SGF candidate, Camilo Barretto are expected to fight it out for a share of the ST vote bank.

But, the young Congress nominee, Vijay Sardessai - known for his shrewd and manipulative skills — has plunged himself in the battle in right earnest. While the Congress leadership is working behind the scenes to bring all Congressmen under one banner, Sardessai has taken on the BJP MLA head on, charging Damu Naik for the utter negect of Fatorda. “The BJP MLA was elected by default after a division in the traditional congress votebank.

Now, the BJP leadership hope for a repeat of 2002 by supporting candidates with an intention to split the Congress vote”, Sardessai says, and promised a much-needed facelift for Fatorda by toning up the infrastructural requirements.

Fatorda has around 31921 electorate, with major chunk concentrated in the Housing Board area. It is also the home for a sizeable section of the ST and Muslims, which together had rooted for the Congress in the past. With as many as four candidates vying for the same political space, the Congress has a task cut out to not only retain its hold over its traditional vote bank, but win back sections of the electorate which has gone the opposition way.