PANAJI
Assisted by 20-odd supporters, candidates of Congress-backed United Panaji Front prefer the evening time for campaigning for the Corporation of the City of Panaji election.
Why evening? Explains Congress’ CCP in-charge Pandurang Madkaikar, “We campaign between 5 pm and 9 pm because most people are home by then. They are more relaxed at this time.” Madkaikar was campaigning in ward 16 along with his candidate Florian Ferrao on Tuesday.
Madkaikar introduces himself and checks if the household is familiar with his candidate. He urges them to trust his candidate with their votes. “You have given 15 years to the BJP. This time, Congress requests you to come out and vote for a change,” he requests them.
Isidore Fernandes, Urfan Mulla, Vijay Pai are among the Congressmen who walk with Madkaikar and Ferrao. Other candidates such as Sandeep Vaigankar, who have covered houses marked for that day in their ward also join in for the late evening campaign trail.
The campaign in ward 16 begins with Ferrao’s neighbourhood and people receive him warmly. As the trail progresses, although only a few invite the group inside their homes, most seem to register at least their vocal support to the panel.
Speaking to The Goan, one resident of Kamat Arcade in St Inez said, “For me, the issues of this city include cleanliness and public hygiene and inclusive development.”
The group led by Ferrao and Madkaikar meanders through staircases and narrow lanes of the ward as night falls. Meanwhile, Rudresh Chodankar, Adrian Godinho and candidate Ashley Rosario chime in with updates from wards 13 and 14. “We have good response so far,” Madkaikar said. Congress is hoping to cover all the major areas of the city by March 4.
