MARGAO
The BJP must be certainly hoping to capitalise on Brand Dempo and its dedicated cadre and workers to poll as many votes as possible in both Velim and Benaulim in a bid to reduce the Congress lead in these two Assembly segments.
Both Velim and Benaulim has been the powerhouse of the Congress over the years, giving the party candidates huge and unassailable vote leads, leaving the BJP stranded midway.
With Pallavi Dempo in the Lok Sabha fray, the BJP leadership must be certainly hoping to tap Dempo’s football connections amongst the soccer fraternity to its advantage. The ruling party, however, seemed working on a game plan to ensure that party cadre and workers all come out and cast their vote in favour of the party on May 7.
Sources say Pallavi’s temple run in both Velim and Benaulim did help to mobilise and galvanise party cadre and BJP loyal voters ahead of the May 7 election. Leaders in private say it will keep the BJP in good stead and help reduce Congress’ lead if the party manages to cross the 5,000-vote mark in both Velim and Benaulim on May 7.
