By Rupesh Samant

Panaji, Apr 21: Upcoming Lok Sabha elections have two women candidates in fray, one in each of the constituency, including Shiv Sena contestant, who is rubbing shoulders with men for South Goa Parliamentary seat.

Rakhi Prabhudesai Naik (Shiv Sena) is contesting from South Goa Parliamentary Seat against BJP’s Narendra Sawaikar, Congress’ Francis Sardinha and AAP’s Elvis Gomes.

In North Goa, social activist Aishwarya Salgaonkar, who had sat on fast unto death against injustice meted out to her by Congress, is contesting as an Independent candidate. She is contesting against Congress’ Girish Chodankar, BJP’s sitting MP Shripad Naik and AAP’s Pradeep Padgaonkar.

The 34-year-old Naik has been a face of Shiv Sena in the State for last two years as she has taken up issues against BJP led government in the State.

“I am not asking people to vote for me because I am a woman. I want them to look at me as someone who can perform in Parliament and able to take up the issues,” said Naik.

“In my personal opinion, woman should contest and get elected in general category rather than waiting for reservations. I believe that we can compete with men and win,” she said.

A former NCP leader, Naik has joined Sena one and half year back, and claims that she can comfortably win in South Goa. “Sena has devoted its entire resources in South Goa Parliamentary seat. That is why we did not even contest in North Goa,” she said.

Naik claimed that voters are looking at Sena with much hopes as it has proved its mettle in Maharashtra. “Our focus is Bhumi putr (sons of soil) in Maharashtra and Goenkars (Goans) in Goa. Our priority will always remain to be Goans,” she said.

On the other hand, Aishwarya Salgaonkar, an independent candidate was active member of Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee until a year back, before she was suspended from the post.

Last month, Salgaonkar undertook four day long fast in protest against the action against her demanding attention of Congress President Rahul Gandhi. She was fasting on the day when Gandhi was addressing Public Rally in Goa.

She had a spat with Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee President Pratima Coutinho before resiging from the party.

“Congress does not know to recognize the leadership qualities. They don’t know to respect women in the party. That is why I thought of quitting the party and contesting as an independent,” said the 41-year-old.

She has assured job opportunities to locals in upcoming international airport at Mopa in North Goa and also want that State should have say in the projects taken up as a part of River Nationalisation.