CANACONA
The Congress began its campaign in Canacona on Thursday on a promising note by addressing booth leaders of all 59 polling stations, but the absence of many Congress leaders during the campaign was the talking point for many in the taluka.
When media persons enquired about some missing Congress leaders during their campaign, South Goa Congress candidate Capt Viriato Fernandes sought to downplay the matter.
“This is just the beginning and even I was informed about Thursday’s programme late Wednesday evening as the schedules are still in the set-up stage. We will bring everyone on board and it’s not only Congress but also all the INDIA bloc partners and together we will retain this Congress bastion,” said Capt Viriato Fernandes, while speaking in the presence of Congress Election Coordinator for South-Goa Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa and Leader of Opposition in Goa Assembly Yuri Alemao.
D’Costa, Alemao and Capt Fernandes exuded confidence that all leaders in the INDIA bloc would join the campaign.
Earlier, the Congress team was received by Canacona Congress Block President Abel Borges and Congress (South) General Secretary Gaspar Coutinho, before they offered prayers and sought blessings at St Thereza of Jesus Church, Chaudi and Shri Mallikarjun Temple at Shristhal in the presence of Sidharth Gayak and other Congress leaders.
“We Goenkars are not owners of our Goa to sell Goa, but we as custodians of our tiny State are indebted to our motherland and are bound to protect our State at all costs. I appeal to all our workers to work for the success of our Congress party,” said Capt Fernandes.
The Congress leaders later addressed booth-level leaders of all 59 booths of Canacona constituency.
Altone D’Costa, Yuri Alemao, Congress (South) President Savio D’Silva were among those who addressed the gathering, while Canacona Congress Mahila President Ursila, Congress (South) General Secretary Gaspar Coutinho, Block member Sidharth Gayak, were present on the dais. Two senior Canacona Congressmen were felicitated by LoP Yuri Alemao.
