MARGAO
After the high-profile visits of Home Minister Amit Shah and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal to Goa during the weekend, the Congress is bracing up to go to the people of Salcete and South Goa with the party’s ‘Vote Chori’ campaign across the taluka on Monday.
Congress Goa desk in-charge, Manikrao Thakare will launch the ‘Vote Chori’ campaign from Chinchinim “ the village in Velim constituency represented by Aam Aadmi Party MLA Cruz Silva.
The campaign is being perceived in local political circles as part of the Congress move to take the battle in the camp of both the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party. After Amit Shah and Arvind Kejriwal attacked the Congress during the weekend, the focus has now shifted on the Congress, more so the Congress Goa desk in-charge, Manikrao Thakare, whether he is coming down with ammunition to fire salvos at the party main political opponents on Monday.
While the ‘Vote Chori’ campaign is primarily aimed at attacking the BJP, sources say that the party has decided to launch the campaign from Chinchinim village in Salcete shows the party’s anxiety to consolidate the party vote in the taluka ahead of the upcoming polls.
A top Congress leader pointed out the BJP may not be the primary opponent of the Congress in Salcete, except in 2-3 seats. “Here, the party will have to take on the Aam Aadmi Party head on and other independents who are bracing up to contest the upcoming polls,” he added.
The visit of Goa desk in-charge, Manikrao Thakare may lend some strength to the party’s ‘Vote Chori’ campaign against the backdrop of the top leaders of the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party descending in the State during the weekend to strength and expand the party base in the State.
Besides Manikrao Thakare, the top brass of the Congress party led by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, MLAs Altone D’Costa and Carlos Alvares, besides South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes are all expected to participate in the programme.
Sources said the presence of the top brass at the launch of the ‘Vote Chori’ campaign is expected to send a message loud and clear to the party workers to brace up for the upcoming polls.
Congress South Goa district President Savio D’Silva said the ‘Vote Chori’ campaign will be launched from the Congress office, Chinchinim at 11 am at the hands of Manikrao Thakare in the presence of party top State leaders.
The campaign will then enter Sao Jose de Areal village, a part of Velim constituency, where the South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes will hand over bikes to differently-abled beneficiaries under the MPLAD Funds Initiative.
The campaign will then wend its way to the constituencies of Curtorim, Navelim, Margao before culminating at Fatorda.
