Panaji: During the door-to-door campaign in one of the more prominent northern cave constituents, a visit by MLA sitting following the usual pattern.
He patted the older-friendly man who was friendly behind, hugging his son and trembling with other people, including people who did not know why the large crowd had gathered outside the home.
After the legislator came out, there was still a job to do.
“Can someone get a brown bag,” asked one of the supporters.
The white cloth bag was then immediately pushed into the owner’s hand.
Naive to believe the bag is just chocolate for the child.
This is the election season, and when there is so much at stake, candidates will get out of their way to take pictures.
“The types of demands made are now extraordinary,” Panchu said.
“People asked us for all types of help.
Because they knew that candidates could not appear for the next five years, there was always a long list which included roads for housing complexes, retaining wall buildings, home improvement, and even tiles for the floor .
there is no way anyone can resist.
“With the infusion of cash that is unprecedented in this election campaign, voters between constituencies have to get whatever they ask for.
Some get cash – from Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 for voting – tucked into envelopes, manifesto, and even distributed masks.
Those who study or work outside the country have been offered tickets to fly to Goa and choose – of course, for people who have provided tickets – and some pocket money.
Others have filed personal demands and also filled them.
In high betting constituencies, voters have almost everything – from the fridge, television, cellphone, washing machine and even laptops to overcome online classes.
On the outskirts of the city where the three-cornered battle immediately went down to the wire, the induction cooker was distributed in several houses.
Residents of the beach belt have found themselves talented with a banquet and iron during the door-to-door campaign.
“The candidates do not roam with talented essential household items.
Instead, they submitted a stamped coupon that must be redeemed in a previous identified shop,” said a source, explaining the modus operandi.
A voter has asked his council members to RS 35,000 to take care of the operation of the news scheduled for February 15, the day after he gave a vote.
He was told not to worry.
Others asked for repairs to their homes and they had not yet been rejected.
A candidate in North Goa personally slipped 10,000 Rs in an envelope and handed it as a “home heating gift”, while the soccer kit and laptop have also been handed over to others in the same constituency.
Even senior citizens above 80 years who chose last week were tempted by gifts, in cash and good.
“Every valuable sound around Rs 3,000,” another source said.
Although not everyone receives cash, as evidenced by a shared family that was offered Rs 30,000, but the money was immediately returned to local representatives.
“Politicians become smarter and now operate differently,” said the aide near MLA sitting.
“Previously, cash and gifts were distributed through Panchas, but now candidates ask representatives to get (a group) of voters to their office and he pays personally.
Women are paid more than men in many places because they believe they have a greater influence on households.
“With 24 hours left for the State Assembly poll, more ‘prizes’ are expected to be bombarded by voters.
In the selection where many seats will be decided by fine margins, politicians do not want to leave anything to coincidence.
Sound price: TV, fridge, laptop, and more
