MARGAO: Serpentine queues of enthusiastic voters braved the scorching summer heat at various polling stations in several constituencies of Salcete taluka , on the much awaited polling day to make a difference by casting their votes in the Lok Sabha election on Friday.
The South Goa seat has apparently been both prestigious and on top of the mind for the BJP where its industrialist woman candidate is pitted against an ex Navy man Capt Viriato Fernandes, the Congress candidate backed by the INDIA Bloc. RG’s Rupert candidate is the third candidate in the fray. The fate of candidates was sealed in the electronic voting machines (EVMs) as people still wait with bated breath for the final results with various political leaders expressing confidence that their candidates will triumph.
Speaking to reporters, Navelim MLA Ulhas Tuenkar expressed confidence in the BJP’s electoral prospects and stated that “the infrastructure and development works carried on by the Modi government and witnessed by the people in the State and country will reap rich dividends in the form of votes for the party. The BJP will create history in this Lok Sabha elections again,” stated Tuenkar.
“A change was made in the assembly elections by people from all the seven villages of Benaulim constituency. Voters are ready for change. People have voted for the development of the country and State,” said Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas.
Environment Minister Alex Sequeira said that even 6,000 votes for the BJP candidate in Nuvem will be a satisfying figure.
“The response is positive. There was a considerable effort to misguide voters during campaigning. All sorts of attempts were also made to instil fear among voters,” Sequeira stated.
“Efforts have been made to ensure a maximum 70 percent voting this time in Margao constituency. Voters irrespective of caste and religion have voted for the BJP. A target of 10,000 votes has been set,” said Margao MLA Digambar Kamat.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that people have voted for the next generation, suggesting a desire for change and progress among the electorate. He criticized the BJP for engaging in what he termed as “wrong politics of defection,” indicating disapproval of certain political strategies employed by the party.
Sardesai expressed confidence that the anger of the people towards would be reflected in the current poll. Additionally, he highlighted concerns about pressure being exerted on slum dwellers in Margao, suggesting potential attempts to influence their voting behaviour.
“If the EVM machines and all the procedures are correct, Kamat will see what politics is. It is clear that Congress has no organization, but it has people on its side. Victory in the Lok Sabha will be the victory of the people,” said Sardessai.
“People are clever, and they will vote wisely. The BJP has not put pressure on me because they know my position,” stated Curtorim MLA Alexio Reginaldo Lourenco.
“This is a parliamentary election and not mine. The BJP has done lot of work in Curtorim constituency and supported me and it is my duty to stand up with them. The alliance in Curtorim is not to work for the people but to defeat me,” stated Reginaldo.
