PANAJI: The campaign to win the by-elections to the Panaji and Valpoi Assembly segments is likely to reach a crescendo on Monday, the last day of campaigning ahead of polling scheduled for August 23.
Campaigning will come to a close at sunset on Monday with a day for voters to make up their minds before voting begins.
While the BJP upped the tempo with several ruling coalition legislators including independents verbally declaring their support, even as Goa Forward's Atanasio Monserrate decided to come out openly in favour of Parrikar after lying low for most part of the poll campaign.
The Congress camp too has stepped up its tirade against Parrikar's campaign. "The BJP has become jittery. That's why Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has not vacated his Rajya Sabha seat. By holding on to his seat as a Rajya Sabha member from UP (Uttar Pradesh) he is going against the spirit of Goemkarponn," Shantaram Naik said.
Naik and Leader of Opposition, were reacting to a series of press conferences first called by Vijai Sardesai and Babush Monserrate and later by three independent MLAs Rohan Khaunte, Govind Gaude and Prasad Gaonkar, besides BJP MLA Mauvin Godinho who all vocally pledged their support to the ruling party's candidates.
Both BJP candidates in the by-polls in two constituencies are battling from a position of strength and given that they are seeking a mandate while being in power has the advantage.
The Congress on the other hand, has used this election to embarrass the ruling government with the party's candidate relying on legwork and visiting door-to-door to convince voters to vote for him, while Parrikar has relied on corner meetings and other public meetings besides also promising to improve Panaji as his strength.
"It's not as if the coalition partners are going to publicly say that they are not supporting the BJP or publicly ask voters not to vote for BJP. But it is their body language that betrays them," Leader of Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar said.
Parrikar, meanwhile, is relying on the networks and connect he has built over the years in Panaji.
As has now become the norm, the campaign is also fought on social media with both sides taking digs at each other.
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GOING ALL-OUT
* Both BJP candidates in the by-polls in two constituencies are battling from a position of strength and given that they are seeking a mandate while being in power has the advantage.
* The Congress has used this election to embarrass the ruling government with the party's candidate relying on legwork and visiting door-to-door to convince voters to vote for him
* Chief Minister Parrikar has relied on corner meetings and other public meetings besides also promising to improve Panaji as his strength
