The long innings as a politician is visible as South Goa Congress candidate Francisco Sardinha knows most of his voters by their first names and it is this personal touch that brightens the day for those waiting for him, reports Julio D'Silva.
It was a Sunday and the Congress candidate Francisco Sardinha has dedicated the day to network with his associates and also concentrate on his assembly segment of Curtorim and his house at Curtorim resembled a beehive with people coming and going steadily.
The day begins with participation in the Sunday mass at 6.30 am. After the mass there is a congregation outside with Sardinha exchanging pleasantries with his childhood buddies from the village, friends, acquaintances and co-villagers as most of them come forward to greet him and wish him the best.
From the church he returns home where there is already a sizeable crowd waiting for him. The long innings as a politician is visible as Sardinha knows most of those present by their first names and it is this personal touch that brightens the day for those waiting for him.
A smile here, hands shake there, a pat on the shoulder for one and his typical "ola" greeting for another gives a very friendly touch to the atmosphere. He briefs his supporters about his campaign.
"The position is improving every day, Sanguem and Sanvordem, which were a little weak have improved now and I am confident of victory," he says while urging those present to concentrate on Salcete that holds the key.
By then, HCN is repeating the debate with candidates and Sardinha along with around 25 supporters, spread out before the television to watch it. As Sardinha appears on the screen, he explains why he gave that particular answer or identifies the person putting the question.
'This one is priest.' 'This lady always asks such questions'. "I was getting tense as the programme started late and I had to be at Cortalim for a public meeting where the crowd was already gathering," were some of the comments.
Once Sardinha's section is over, the television is switched off and he gets cracking on his electioneering. He first to deal with where his long time supporters from San Jose de Areal, the village now shifted to Velim Assembly constituency.
"You distribute the cards there and mobilise the people. I have already spoken to Felipe (Velim MLA) and there is absolutely no change," he tells his supporters. There is no problem with Felipe he tells us giving thumbs up to the genial Water Resources Minister.
The group from Macasana is a little upset and ventilates its grievance over being sidelined by the new Congress leadership in the village after it was detached from Curtorim assembly segment and added to Cuncolim.
"You must have got the report of the very less crowd they got for the meeting," they complain and Sardinha has to pacify them. "There are problems, but this is the time to ignore them and concentrate on the victory of the party," he assuages.
Party workers from Raia and Curtorim are given the task of mobilising the crowd for the pubic meeting scheduled at Raia the next day. "You have to make sure that the crowd occupies the chairs and please do not make an announcement over the microphone asking them to do so. If you are committed workers, you will get them in the seats," he instructs while disclosing that empty chairs turns is mood off.
He monitors the distribution of cards in Curtorim assembly segment and gives necessary directions on how to go about doing it in certain pockets. He drops names to be contacted in different wards. "They have been with me for a long time and they will do the needful," he says confidently.
Congress workers from other assembly segments drop in for various reasons. While some want publicity material others have come for finances. The group from Seraulim is organizing a tiatr and are looking for sponsorship.
"You tell me what is your expectation as what I offer may not be acceptable to you. I believe in direct talk," he tells them. Even as they hesitate, their MLA and Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira calls up and Sardinha takes up the matter with him directly.
"Your boys from Seraulim are here regarding the tiatr. What are you offering them? Alright, if you are giving that, I shall give the other. I am sending them to you." This is the conversation and the Seraulim lads are told to meet their MLA.
A desperate looking lady from Colva drops in with hopes that she will get some money to buy medicines for her son who has suffered a paralytic stroke. "Did you contact Micky?" asks Sardinha and she replies in a tearful voice that her MLA is not available.
"If you treated your son at Grace Cardiac, it means you are financially quite sound," he opined asking her why they did not opt for the government hospital that provides all the facilities free of cost. But her plight moves him and she gets a little help.
Some youngsters visibly not eligible to vote come to ask for donation for a tournament. "Where are you from? Come later, preferably after the elections and I shall help you then," he says and turns them away.
As he has not had his breakfast till then, his wife and sister-in-law remind him that he has to take his medicines. But there are still people waiting and his wife stands by his side nudging and reminding him that he has to take care of his health too.
"I am contesting Lok Sabha elections and to deal with these petty issues, you have the State government here. In fact, every three months we have to be in Delhi," he said while replying to the various issues raised by his workers.
A quick bite of a bhaji with bread and half-a-slice of cheese is not enough. He wants more, but there is nothing left and no time. His daughter-in-law and sister-in-law keep him company while he has this snack.
He confabulates with party workers from Benaulim, Vasco, Varca and Assolna. "Being into politics for so many years, I have my own contacts all over and I am using them now," he discloses.
Replying to a question about his party MLAs working for him he says, "they have promised certain votes so let us wait and watch. However, since I am the candidate, I am using my sources and contacts also. There is no harm in doing so, is there?"
But he is aware of what is happening and that is why he takes personal interest in areas where he suspects the Congress men are not working properly. "I am getting my reports," is all that he is willing to say.
There is a problem in one of the wards of Curtorim. At Eclati some persons threatened those distributing Sardinha's cards. His second son Shalom is asked to go to that area and check out the situation. "Do not get into any argument or discussion with them. Just go around with the workers and see what happens. If you are there, nobody will say anything," he tells his son.
It is quite obvious that Shalom is being groomed to take over the political mantle from his father. Prominent party workers are introduced to him and he is asked to deal with some of the workers. He also dashes off on to the field now and then.
After lunch at home, it is a whirlwind rush to address public meetings all over the constituency covering four different talukas. It begins with Canacona where Speaker Pratapsing Rane is present. From there it is to Betalbatim in Salcete taluka. The Navelim meeting is an eye-opener. But the next at Shiroda in Ponda taluka is encouraging and the last meeting is in Verna in Mormugao taluka.
