Valpoi poll: BJP, Cong working overtime in bid to gain advantage

VALPOI, OCT 14
Valpoi by-election has reached a feverish pitch, as both the candidates, Vishwajeet Rane (Congress) and Santosh Haldankar (BJP), are working round the clock to ensure their victory.
Rane is seen busy conducting corner meetings in the panchayat areas and in the wards of Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC), where he is stressing on development works he has carried out during the last three years in Valpoi constituency.
Besides, he claims providing employment to about 2,000 youth from Sattari, women empowerment and implementation of various government schemes.
Rane is seen canvassing with his supporters, including members of Sattari Yuva Morcha and members of Mahila Mandals. Interestingly, no Congress leaders are seen canvassing or accompanying him during the campaign.
BJP candidate Santosh Haldankar is seen busy conducting house-to-house campaign along with his supporters and local BJP leaders. He is alleging irregularities in the Rs 200 crore beautification project, which is underway in Valpoi town since the last two years.
During corner meetings, BJP senior leaders including North Goa MP Shripad Naik, Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar, Govind Parvatkar, Ulhas Asnodkar, Vinay Tendulkar, Narhari Haldankar and others are seen guiding the BJP candidate.
BJP supporters are seen distributing pamphlets to the voters highlighting the issues are and even seen canvassing.
Interestingly, both the candidates have avoided conducting public meetings.
During corner meetings, Vishwajeet Rane claimed that he will win the election with a thumping majority and BJP will be wiped out from Valpoi constituency.
On the other hand, Haldankar claimed that people are fully convinced with the issues BJP has taken up for this election and will vote BJP candidate to teach a bitter lesson to Congress and its candidate.
When contacted, former VMC vice chairperson Umesh Gulelkar claimed that it is clear that in Valpoi Municipal area, Rane will get maximum votes.
Meanwhile, there are 17,912 voters, out of which 9,106 are male and 8,806 female. Valpoi constituency includes 10 wards of VMC and five panchayats, Bironda, Khotode, Guleli, Savorde and Nagargao.
Since the demarcation of Valpoi constituency in 1989, during the last five elections held in Valpoi, Congress candidates won two times, BJP candidates won two times and independent candidate once.
In 1989, Ashok Parob was elected on Congress ticket, in 1994 Narhari Haldankar (BJP), in 1999 Bandu Dessai (Congress), in 2002 Narhari Haldankar (BJP) and in 2007 Vishwajeet Rane (Independent).