Team Herald

PANJIM: In the ring for the sixth time in Panjim, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, is well-versed with every nook and corner of the constituency, that gives him an added advantage and this is probably the reason that he preferred to hold corner meetings focusing on house-to-house visits. 

As voting day comes closer, the 61-year-old BJP loyalist is campaigning aggressively. Parrikar officially launched his campaign by first visiting Mahalaxmi Temple seeking blessings of the Goddess. 

“We all know he is a good administrator. He leaves no chance to doubt his efficiency and does not fear challenges and pressure tactics. He has done justice to all the roles in politics including as Defence Minister of the country,” said a women karyakarta, who has been garnering votes in favour for Parrikar.  

While Gaud-Saraswats have been his vote banks for several years, Parrikar this time has left no stone unturned to woo other communities like Gujarati Samaj, youth, including students, first time voters, market vendors, mahila self-help groups and others. Former Panjim MLA Siddharth Kunkalienkar claims that the people have decided to support Parrikar in the by-polls. 

His meeting with CCP councilors has been the highlight though the claim is that it was not an election-related meeting. Mayor Surendra Furtado, Deputy Mayor Lata Parekh and the councilors of the wards held extensive discussions on various developmental works.

Many Panjim voters are confident that no controversy can dent his image. “Parrikar is always a winner. We are happy to see him back. His absence in Goa during his tenure as Defence Minister was felt. Nobody can replace him. He is not only a good politician but also a popular public figure,” said housewife-cum-entrepreneur Medha Pednekar. 

“He had a big responsibility at the Centre, yet he would make time to come to Goa to meet people. During his short visits, his temporary office at Patto was always open for the general public,” Anand Prabhudessai said. 

There are also some residents who have postponed going to their native homes for Ganesh Chathurthi. “We will cast out vote on August 23 and then leave for our villages to celebrate the festival. He will win by a huge margin,” said Mala resident Nagesh. A youth, Jessica Pereira, too expressed her support for the BJP candidate claiming he would win by more than 10,000 votes. 

After MPs Shripad Naik and Vinay Tendulkar, Deputy Speaker Michael Lobo, Ministers Vinod Palyekar and Mauvin Godinho, MLA Alina Saldanha and other colleagues have joined the campaign. 

“There are three candidates pitted against Parrikar. All the three are new faces. It is not a threat to us because people will go by the works done for the constituency and the State. Parrikar’s quality stint as of now has gained him popularity,” said a councilor backed by Atanasio Monserrate.  

Parrikar has also got the backing of all his coalition partners – GFP, MGP and the Independents.