THEY ARE COMING
* Union minister Venkaiah Naidu
* Prime Minister Narendra Modi
* BJP national president Amit Shah
* Union Minister Smriti Irani
* Union Minister Nitin Gadkari
* BJP Yuva Morcha chief Poonam Mahajan
* Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
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The Bharatiya Janata Party is all set to launch its election blitzkrieg in Goa. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senior BJP functionaries and key ministers from Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s cabinet will campaign intensely to boost the party’s prospects in Goa’s assembly election beginning from January 22.
At least four union ministers including Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, national party functionaries and Maharashtra chief minister will address rallies in various parts of the State.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will take part in one rally which will be held in the capital, while BJP’s national president Amit Shah is expected to attend four rallies in the State.
Besides, the two MPs in the State, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and State party president have also been addressing various corner meetings to give the party the much needed boost for the assembly elections.
“We have chalked out a detailed programme for the party’s election campaign in the State. Union ministers and national BJP functionaries will campaign extensively. The election campaign will begin from January 22 and end on February 2,” informed Sandesh Sadhale, BJP Media Cell in charge in the State.
Union Minister of Urban Development, Venkaiah Naidu will address two meetings on January 22 in Pernem and Panaji although national party president, Amit Shah will officially launch the State’s election campaign on January 23.
Further, Union Minister of Textiles, Smriti Irani will arrive in Goa on January 25 and camp in the State till February 1.
During her eight-day stay, Irani will address six to seven rallies in different parts of the State. She will also hold meetings with at least four Mahila Morcha organizations during the period.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, who is also Goa election in-charge, will come down in Goa on January 24 and will be stationed until February 2 overlooking and micromanaging the election strategy of the party in the State.
BJP’s National Yuva Morcha, President, Poonam Mahajan will address seven rallies and also interact with the young voters in the State. She will be in Goa from January 29 to February 2.
Maharashtra Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis will also come down to Goa and address around five rallies in the State. He will arrive in State on January 26 evening for a five-day campaign schedule.
National party president, Amit Shah will address four rallies on two separate days “ Margao and Vasco on January 23 and Ponda and another town on January 31.
Prime Minister, Narendra Modi will address a rally at SAG ground, Panaji on January 28 at 4.30 pm.
Besides the national leaders and party office-bearers, the CM, DyCM and local party leaders will also campaign intensely in the State.
“We have already started our campaign. All State leaders and office bearers are moving door to door and holding corner meetings in every nook and corner of Goa. We will be campaigning under the guidance of union ministers, Nitin Gadkari and Manohar Parrikar,” said Vinay Tendulkar, BJP State President.
After attending more than 30 Vijay Sankalp rallies of the BJP in the State before the election code of conduct could come into play, Defence Minister, Manohar Parrikar has been addressing corner meetings in various parts of the State.
“Manohar Parrikar bai is addressing almost 10 corner meetings every day,” said a senior BJP member indicating the defence minister’s gruelling schedule.
Union Minister of Ayush and North Goa MP, Shripad Naik, South Goa MP, Narendra Sawaikar and party president, Vinay Tendulkar have been addressing five corner meetings every day. Chief Minister, Laxmikant Parsekar and Deputy Chief Minister, Francis D’Souza are also addressing five corner meetings every day besides campaigning in their own constituencies.
'Smart villages' in
BJP’s manifesto
The BJP manifesto for Goa will be released on January 27 and will focus on youth and employment generation.
“Our manifesto lays more stress on additional infrastructure and job creation keeping the youth in mind,” a senior BJP member said.
The manifesto also speaks about “smart villages” where each village will have mini-hospitals, good schools, good road connectivity and proper water and power supply.
“We will develop at least 10 to 12 such smart villages within five years,” the BJP member said.
