The elected representatives, including a couple of MLAs and MP have also hit the campaign trail. While MLAs including Goa Vikas Party chief Mickky Pacheco is hoping from one constituency to another in support of party candidates, Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva has joined the campaign in support of Independent candidate Hannibal D’Costa. South Goa BJP MP Narendra Sawaikar was in his constituency during the weekend to drum up support for party candidates in the district.
So far, most of the contesting candidates in the nine constituencies of Salcete have resorted to corner and small meetings. Nuvem constituency is believed to have witnessed most of the meetings where a battle royal is underway between sitting South Goa ZP vice-Chairperson Wilfred D’Sa and his GVP challenger Marcelinho Faria. In fact, both the camps have had a host of meetings across the constituency so far.
The BJP, which was rocked by a revolt in the Navelim block, also had a meeting at Davorlim on Monday evening to send the right message to the party rank and file that the rebellion by party leader Satyavijai Naik will have no impact on the fortunes of the party candidate Ulhas Tuenkar.
That the BJP roped in party president Vinay Tendulkar and party’s Muslim face, Sheikh Jina to address the meeting indicates that the party is trying to undo the damage caused by the rebellion. Fisheries Minister and Navelim MLA Avertano Furtado was also seen sitting in the audience.
The campaign is likely to reach a feverish peak in the next few days as candidates are bracing to hold public meetings after covering the constituencies door-to-door.
Meanwhile, Election observer Venancio Furtado for the five constituencies in Salcete and two in Mormugao taluka had separate meetings with the contesting candidates. He guided them on the election code of conduct and the expenditure ceiling fixed by the State Election Commission.
