MAPUSA
Curtains came down on campaigning for the by-election to the Calangute Zilla Panchayat here on Friday after some last minute hectic political activity. This, even as both the BJP and Congress candidates in the fray preferred more time for campaigning.
The election to ZP by-polls will be held on August 20.
Although there is not much at stake in the ZP by-election, it once again gives an opportunity for the two arch rivals, Calangute MLA, Michael Lobo and former sarpanch, Joseph Sequeira to test their support base in Calangute.
BJP's candidate, Dattaprasad Dabholkar is backed by Lobo, while Congress candidate, Joy Fernandes is supported by Sequeira.
The two candidates mainly focused on door-to-door electioneering in what was a low-key campaign in absence of any major political plank.
"We received very good response from the voters while moving door-to-door. The time for campaigning was however, a little short. Another week's time would have been idle," said Dattaprasad Dabholkar.
He said the development blitzkrieg launched by Calangute MLA Lobo in the constituency holds him in good stead and therefore expected to emerge victorious. Adding that, Lobo move around in few houses along with him, Calangute Sarpanch, Anthony Menezes and the members of Calangute and Candolim panchayats were fully behind him.
The Congress candidate, Joy Fernandes was upbeat and expected a positive result in his favour, although he was upset with the Election Commission's schedule for the polls.
"In many areas, people were not even aware of the election. We (both the candidates) had approached the Returning Officer and requested him to conduct some advertising campaign so that people are aware of the by-election," Fernandes said.
He said the Congress had done good ground work in the limited period and had met as many people as possible.
He further disclosed that former Calangute sarpanch, Joseph Sequeira had actively campaigned for him in Calangute, while former Calangute MLA, Agnel Fernandes canvassed in his favour in Candolim.
"Finally, people are aware that this election was forced on us. I am positive, the people will vote for Congress," Fernandes said.
