MARGAO
The stage is finally set for the commencement of the election process for ensuing February 14 Assembly polls as netas of all hues return to the voters “ some with folded hands, apologizing for their mistakes, while others simply pleading with the voters to give another chance to represent them in the Assembly.
For a moment, one finds the netas, going about the task of wooing the electorate for the precious vote as servants and not masters.
If former Congress MLA Reginaldo Lourenco sought pardon from Curtorkars with folded hands for his mistake of leaving the party to join the Trinamool Congress, TMC MLA Churchill Alemao made an impassioned plea to Benaulikars with folded hands to give him the last chance in his 40-year old political career to represent them in the Assembly.
Other seasoned campaigners did not lag.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant with BJP's Fatorda candidate Damu Naik in tow descended at Lord Damodar Temple seeking blessings for the success of the party. Opposition leader Digambar Kamat offered the sacred coconut to Lord Damodar for his electoral success.
Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai seeking the blessings of an elderly supporter has been doing the rounds on social media in the last few days. Politicians from Velim, including Congress candidate Savio D’Silva and former MLA Benjamin D’Silva, descended at the miraculous Baradi Cross to seek blessings of the almighty before kick-starting their respective campaign.
It’s not uncommon to find candidates in particular and political leaders, in general, going out of the way to waive out to the people. Shaking hands with voters has been the norm than an exception during election time, but the ongoing pandemic has left the political class to go for the traditional namaste to greet the voters.
With candidates and their supporters already on the ground, candidates splashing victory signs has now almost become a trend as they hop from one house to another seeking votes.
