PANJIM: It’s 9 am sharp on the clock and the Union Minister for AYUSH Shripad Naik, who is seeking re-election to the Lok Sabha for the record fifth time, is set for his campaign for the day.
With just about a week remaining for the polls on April 23, Shripad would be the first one who will complete his constituency wise.
With supporters already waiting, Naik travels in his private car to Priol constituency.
The local MLA and Minister for Art and Culture, Govind Gaude has already announced whole-hearted support to the BJP, both in the Lok Sabha as well as four by-polls in Panjim, Mapusa, Mandrem and Shiroda.
As Shripad reaches the Marcel market, he is given a warm welcome by BJP supporters. Joined by Gaude, he starts campaigning distributing pamphlets and the greeting the shopkeepers.
“He is been the most humble politician in Goa. Be a minister or not he always has a smile on his face and always down to earth whenever we discuss any issues,” said one shopkeeper Bharat Shirodkar.
With the kind of response seen in Marcel may have surely encouraged the Shripad Naik’s team.
“I am happy large number of local residents, youths and women came out to join me during the campaign trail. I feel sorry sometimes they have to bear this heat and accompany us,” said Shripad.
After about two hours of hectic campaigning, the minister alongwith his team stops for a small break of soft drinks and water – though these were offered at every shop and residence, this was formal break.
The Shripad team again starts its campaigning on the way the candidate himself speaks to many senior citizens and tries to understand the problems of senior citizens.
While there were many who were satisfied with Shripad’s performance, there were also others who felt he had done little.
“He comes only during campaigning. Ask him how many times has he visited the constituency? asks local resident Sharad Naik.
Another truck owner Vasant Amonkar questioned Shripad on his failure to resolve the mining issue.
However, Shripad who seems cool as a cucumber even in this scorching heat, tries to pacify and answer each and every question of the local.
“Being a minister or even an MP, I cannot physically visit each and every constituency or village. But as and when a proposal comes to me I make sure that it is sanctioned and completed in time,” he said. “On mining, we have done whatever we could but since it’s the Supreme Court order, nothing much could be done. But we have not given up and even the Prime Minister has assured to resolve the issue,” he further added.
After this, the lunch is called for, while some supporters choose to have lunch in hotels, Shripad bhaum as he is fondly known, accepts an offer of a local supporter to have lunch at his residence.
After hours of campaigning, Shripad heads to Priol for a meeting where hundreds of karyakartas are waiting for his arrival and the speech.
Even though his opponent Girish Chodankar has thrown a tough challenge, Shripad feels it is the love of the people which will take him though.
“In the 20 years, I have received the same love and support. I have completed over 1000-plus works in North Goa besides other charity works,” he said adding “people know me and have faith in the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
