Team Herald
PANJIM: With over a month left till the votes are counted and State Assembly election results declared, most politicians are planning a sabbatical from the hectic electioneering, while a few have decided to stay back and devote time to their business or even meet voters.
Deputy CM Francis D’Souza, is one who has decided to dedicate the period for official work. “I have no plans to take a break at least now. I am back to duty as DyCM although I am aware that I cannot take any decisions owing to the code of conduct,” he said. D’Souza has often traveled out of the State or country taking some time off either from the election process or Assembly sessions, but not this time.
BJP’s Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who is also known to holiday abroad, has again taken the overseas route. However, since his children are answering final exams, Lobo flew to Malaysia and Philippines with his friend. “I am on a week-long holiday to Malaysia with my friend. I am not taking my family along this time as my children are preparing for their exams,” he told Herald over the phone even as he was entering Dabolim airport on Monday.
Congress’ Saligao candidate Agnelo Fernandes is going on a work-cum-personal trip to London. Speaking to Herald, he confirmed the trip. “I want to go to London via Dubai. It’s work-cum-holiday as I need to stress on my business too,” he said.
Navelim candidate and State Congress President Luizinho Faleiro is yet to decide his holiday destination. “I need a good break. I have not planned any holiday destination but I definitely need 15 to 20 days of holiday,” he said. But before he begins to unwind, the Congress president will hold a meeting with fellow candidates on Tuesday to assess the party performance.
However, for another Congress candidate from Calangute Joseph Sequeira, a holiday is not about traveling outside Goa. “Why does one need to relax out of Goa? One can holiday here itself,” he said, adding quickly, “Why a break after working for just 20 days?”
And after taking a short break, Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco the Congress Curtorim MLA is back from a trip to Belgaum with his workers. “I have not planned a family outing since my children are busy with classes. I took some time off traveling to Belgaum with some workers. We will get back to work soon,” he said.
For others it is a time for a pilgrimage. Churchill Alemao is planning one to Vailankini. “I am always busy meeting people but I will visit Vailankini one of these days,” he said.
On the other hand, BJP’s Pandurang Madkaikar wants to spend the free time focusing on his real estate business.
But, there’s one politician for whom the polls are still calling. After spending days in Goa campaigning for BJP candidates, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is back to electioneering in two other poll-bound states of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. “I will campaign for the party in UP as I am the MP from this State, and then Uttarakhand,” he said, adding that he will thereafter travel to Mumbai to canvass for the civic polls.
