For Carlos, Jose Philip, Loretta, Saifula, Manesh and Gandhi, the campaign starts early and ends late
Three-time Councillor Carlos knows the people and the issues
NAVIN JHA
Carlos Almeida, MLA and BJP candidate in Vasco, leaves his residence for campaigning at about 7.30 am, however, on Tuesday, he was delayed as he had to attend people waiting at his office with grievances. He then left with supporters on two-wheelers for the day’s campaign, the first stop being the residential area near St Teresa School in Mangor Hill. MMC councillors and BJP booth committee members and supporters were waiting to accompany Almeida. Within minutes another 100 odd neighbourhood BJP supporters joined the team and they started knocking on the doors of the voters.
“Having been elected as MMC councillor three times and from three different wards, and as MLA, I know the people of my constituency by name and the problems in different localities. As we managed to address the issues, people have been welcoming us with open arms,” Almeida told Herald.
Taking a break from campaigning, Almeida left for his party office located at Chase international building, to hear people’s grievances till 2.30 pm. He started off again at about 3.30 pm campaigning at Islampura area in Baina. The day’s campaign ended at about 8 pm.
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Former MLA Jose Philip has bigger challenges
As President of the NCP State unit, Jose Philip D’Souza has the responsibility of campaigning for other party candidates. But that isn’t stopping him from walking to every doorstep in Vasco constituency, from where he is seeking to return to the Assembly.
His campaign starts at 9.30 am and being a known face among Vasco residents, D’Souza has been receiving a good response from the voters.
On Tuesday he started off in the area behind Goa Shipyard Limited and trudged, accompanied by supporters from the area, without a break till 2 pm, covering all the voters in the area.
Later in the evening he visited houses in Mangor Hill, where fresh faces joined the campaign team.
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Ex-hockey player Loretta campaigns like a young athlete
Former hockey player Loretta D’Souza e Sreedharan, the AAP candidate from Vasco hits the campaign trail as if she were a young athlete. At 9.30 am Loretta along with friends, family members and AAP volunteers leaves for campaigning.
“I don’t need a big team to walk along with me to meet the people. We have been silently meeting voters without disturbing their peace and as per the response received, I am confident of victory,” Shreedharan told Herald.
They munch into whatever they get during some short breaks in tea stalls or snacks joints and return home only in the evening after spending over 10 hours under the hot sun.
On Tuesday her team visited the area near Golden Hill Apartment in Mangor Hill convincing voters to vote for AAP. As the lone lady candidate in Vasco, voters have been giving Shreedharan a patient hearing.
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Other candidates in fray
Vasco has a lot more candidates. There are three former MMC Chairpersons and one former Vice Chairperson campaigning.
Former MMC Chairpersons include MGP candidate Manesh Arolkar, Congress Candidate Saifula Khan and independent candidate Gandhi Henriques who start their campaign at 7.30 am and wind up at 8 pm.
Khan said, “I am getting an overwhelming response from the voters as they wants change and youth to take the lead this time so I will be their choice. I start my campaign at 8 am and wind up only in the evening with few breaks in between. In a few days I will have covered most parts of the constituency.”
Similarly, Niz Goenkar Revolution Front candidate Chandrakant Vast begins his campaign at 9.30 am.
Independent candidate Krishna Salkar starts off in the early morning and ends his rounds late in the evening.
