MAPUSA
Facing a resurgent Congress after a decade, the BJP has pulled out all the stops in a bid to wrest control of Bardez even as most constituencies in the taluka are witnessing a multi-cornered contest.
Despite the curbs on campaigning due to Covid concerns both the national parties went all out to woo the voters in physical mode and more so on social media.
A big chunk of silent voters is also expected to play a crucial role and could make or break the electoral dreams of political parties.
The presence of Trinamool Congress (TMC) and its aggressive campaign has brought a sense of suspense in this election.
TMC has a good chance to win at least one seat in Bardez, come at a sniffing distance in another and act as a spoiler in a couple of other constituencies in the taluka.
The Aam Aadmi Party, which is contesting the assembly elections for the second time in the State, has also had a robust campaign this time around.
All the AAP candidates in Bardez are expected to fare much better than 2017 and a couple of them could even spring a surprise.
In 2017, BJP bagged three out of the seven seats up for grabs in Bardez while Congress did a trifle better than 2012, winning from only one seat of Tivim. The Goa Forward Party bagged two seats of Siolim and Saligao while Porvorim was bagged by an Independent.
This time, however, the BJP is facing a stiff challenge from the Congress in at least five constituencies. Interestingly, former minister and a BJP legislator for a decade, Michael Lobo is leading the charge and has taken the fight in the ruling party’s camp.
Aware of the opposition attempt to make inroads on their turf, the BJP had lined up several key national leaders including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis to campaign in Bardez.
The public meeting of PM Narendra Modi was also held in Mapusa in an attempt to shore up the prospects of the party candidates in the taluka.
For the second time, the BJP is fighting the election on its own as in 2017.
Its traditional alliance partner MGP has this time tied up with the TMC and is contesting in around 11 seats.s
With the threat of Covid infection easing out, political parties expect a good turnout on Monday (February 14).
“People won’t stay back from voting due to Covid concerns. In fact, I feel people will come out in large numbers to vote the BJP out,” said Rahul Mhambre, AAP candidate of Mapusa.
BJP’s Calangute candidate, Joseph Sequeira, also said that people were not concerned about Covid and would come out to vote.
