Team Herald
PANJIM: Two days before the State goes to polls on February 4, Goa has become a place for public rallies and meeting. With campaigning ending at 5 pm on Thursday, political parties are making last-ditch efforts to lure voters.
Not only the regional parties but national parties – particularly Congress and BJP – seem to be on an overdrive mode.
BJP flew down a full battery of campaigners with their National President Amit Shah addressing a public meeting in Bicholim and Union Minister for Shipping and Goa desk incharge Nitin Gadkari addressing meetings in Mayem and Panjim on Wednesday.
Union Minister of State for I&B Rajyawardhan Singh Rathore, also held a series meetings in Porvorim. Besides their national spokesperson Shaina NC went campaigning door-to-door with Michael Lobo in Calangute.
“The response of the people has been tremendous and we are confident of winning 26 seats,” Sawaikar said adding, “The people have received all our national leaders well.” Earlier Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed a poll meeting in Panjim.
On the other hand Congress, which got a fillip after AICC Vice-President Rahul Gandhi addressed a public meeting in Mapusa, also has top leaders campaigning in Goa.
On Wednesday Congress leader Narayan Rane held a meeting in Calangute besides Actress Nagma, National spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi and Karnataka leader Dinesh Gunu Rao, are in Goa making constituency visits. Earlier, MP Jyotiraditya Scindia released the party manifesto and addressed a public meeting in Vasco.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot had corner meetings besides Haryana MLA Randeep Singh Surjewala, Delhi PCC chief Ajay Makan, Minister Karnataka R V Deshpande, Haryana PCC Ashok Tanwar amongst others also campaigned in Goa.
Chaturvedi, in a tweet, said that campaigning in Goa was great. “Camapigning in Goa today youth energy is amazing to watch,” she tweeted.
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party also held rallies and a public meeting at Velim. Goa Forward had a meeting at Fatorda while GSM had a rally in Panjim Wednesday morning.
