An uneasy calm replaced the hectic pre-poll activities in the Goa capital before canvassing for the March 13 elections to the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), came to an end on Friday evening.
Just before the polls, the State Election Commission has banned any kind of canvassing providing breathing time to voters to decide on their candidate before they go to cast their vote tommorow.
The CCP polls is a battle of prestige for the BJP backed 'Panaji First' panel and candidates supported by Congress minister Atanasio Monserratte. They are contesting all the 30 wards.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) contenders are also in the fray, although only in 15 wards. Avinash Bhosle, a corporator, who owed allegiance to Monserratte until recently, is heading NCP panel.
"Umpteen times there were violations of law by Monserratte who distributed goodies to the voters. But the State Election Commission did not take any cognisance of it. There are police officers who are openly backing this violation," BJP leader Manohar Parrikar told reporters few hours before the canvassing ended.
He said the Commission has failed to give level playing field for the candidates.
{{/usCountry}}He said the Commission has failed to give level playing field for the candidates.
{{/usCountry}}"But I am sure, BJP backed panel will get a comfortable margin," Parrikar said.
Monserratte, on the other hand, has avoided going to the press.
"God is with me and people from Panaji are with me. Lets react after March 14," the minister said when contacted by PTI.