CALANGUTE: Campaigning in the prestigious constituency of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar is picking up with BJP and Congress camps involved in aggressive door-to-door campaigning in different wards of Calangute.
The BJP camp led by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo along with party cadres has been visiting door-to-door to seek support of Shripad Naik, while the Congress party led by Joseph Sequeira along with panchayat members has been canvassing for Ravi Naik and also focusing on door-to-door campaign.
Both the camps have expressed hope of winning the hearts of the electorate of Calangute and gaining substantial leads. Lobo has also claimed silent support of six Calangute Panchayat members to justify his claim.
Speaking to Herald while on door-to-door campaign in Calangute, Lobo said: “We are overwhelmed with the support of Calangute villagers for Shripad Naik and we definitely expect to lead in Calangute. Six Calangute Panchayat members have expressed their silent support for our candidate and it will make our task easy.”
When asked whether he will be able to topple the Calangute Panchayat after the Lok Sabha polls, Lobo replied in the negative saying: “No. It is the last thing I would do, but their support is what matters.”
When contacted, Sequeira said: “It’s nice to hear that, but all the panchayat members including the co-opted member are with us. All of us are jointly campaigning for Ravi Naik and results will prove it.”
Calangute Sarpanch Geeta Porob said: “All ladies are united and there is no possibility of changing sides.”
However, Lobo claimed that a lady member is supporting him and backs party candidate at the ensuing polls.
Sources informed that BJP and Lobo are banking on support of the locals for developmental works or favours granted to them. The BJP camp is reportedly eyeing the shack owners, water sports operators, institutions, besides the women for the schemes, while the Congress party leaders are relying on party vote bank besides personal charisma over developmental works in Calangute for a comfortable lead in the village.
