PANJIM: A high decibel by-election campaign, marked by vitriolic accusations, for the Panjim and Valpoi assembly seats would come to an end on Monday evening. With few hours left in hand, the candidates are trying out their last best possible efforts to woo the voters.
The by-elections for the two assembly seats would be held on August 23, while the counting is scheduled on August 28. As per Election Commission of India (ECI) directives, the canvassing will come to end on Monday at 5 pm, 48 hours before the polling.
The ECI has prohibited conducting any opinion or exit poll in connection with the by-elections from Monday evening to August 23.
Braving scorching heat in Panjim and moderate showers in Valpoi, the candidates are busy reaching out to their voters. While Congress and the Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) have laid focus on door-to-door visits, BJP held public meetings in both the constituencies.
Ruling BJP has fielded Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane in Panjim and Valpoi, respectively. In Panjim, Parrikar will be battling against Congress’ Girish Chodankar, GSM Anand Shirodkar and Independent Kenneth Silveira.
Valpoi has three candidates that include Rane, Congress’s Roy Naik and Independent Rohidas Gaonkar.
Total 51,032 voters are eligible to cast their vote that include 26,058 female voters and 24,974 male voters, during the by-election as the electoral roll published in January, this year.
“We are confident that both our candidates will have clear sweep. BJP is getting huge response in both the constituencies,” party President Vinay Tendulkar said adding that this election the chief minister focused more on corner meetings and interacting with several communities including first time voters.
“Vishwajit also held corner meetings but made door to door visits,” he said.
On the other hand, Congress entire focus was on house to house campaign, considering that both its candidates are non residents of the respective constituencies they are contesting from.
“Considering the way people have accepted Congress, we are sure to win both the seat. People had given congress the mandate in February 2017 election and this time too, they will give us the mandate,” Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said.
The section 144 of the CrPC will come into force from Monday evening.
