Curtains came down on an intense campaign for the Panaji bypoll with both front-runners Sidharth Kuncolienkar and Atanasio Babush Monserrate engaged in a neck-and-neck race. The late-night skirmish where Sidharth’s vehicle was attacked by two unknown assailants in Mala was the only stray incident that marred the otherwise peaceful round of campaigning.
The action now shifts to the last few hours before Panaji decides on their representative. In this context, Saturday becomes the all-important day where candidates could look to seize the final advantage. If money is known to do the talking during this silent period, the Panaji landscape is no exception. Goodies in the form of household items and cash have already been flowing thick and fast beating the tight vigil put up by the State Election Commission.
The fact that Income Tax sleuths were let loose on former Panaji mayor Yatin Parekh at the fag end of the campaign gives a broad idea of how money will play a crucial role. And the BJP is taking enough precaution to see that the contest doesn’t slip out of its hands at this eleventh hour. Parekh who runs multiple businesses and owes strong allegiance to Babush could have been a major financer for Babush in such tight electoral battles. By cutting off such cash streams, the BJP is only ensuring
that the Taleigao strongman doesn’t swing the voter using money power.
While the contest is very close to call at this juncture, the Congress portrayed a picture of confidence in their man. And irrespective of bypoll outcomes, or the Lok Sabha results, partymen spoke of snatching back the mandate from the BJP.
BJP, on the hand, has been pushed on the defensive despite Sidharth’s personal rapport with Ponjekars. The biggest worry, however, is the Utpal-Parrikar factor, given the fact that a sizeable section within the party have distanced itself from the party candidate. The issue of denial of ticket to Utpal is not done and dusted yet and this could hurt the BJP candidate big time.
Utpal’s absence at a meeting addressed by Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday, for whatever reasons, has sent a wrong message to the electorate, especially to the fence-sitters. This rift within the BJP could prove decisive to the end result. Understandably, backroom talks have not yielded results so far and with time running out, the onus will be on party leadership to broker a late rapprochement. The next 24 hours, in this context, could be a game-changer for the BJP candidate. To make matters worse, a fair section of the Saraswats has turned their back on the BJP nominee giving Babush the advantage.
While the BJP and Congress go back to the drawing board counting their numbers, they will have to also factor in the GSM and AAP voters who are expected to eat into their vote-banks. All in all, the Panaji bypoll is going to be cracker of a contest.
