First timers expect candidates to deliver at Panaji

PANAJI: When 19-year-old Ishwari Salgaonkar stepped out on Sunday to cast her vote for the first time, at the Panaji bypolls, she was doubly excited. Because, accompanying her to their booth was her 85-year-old grandmother Vibhavan Salgaonkar.
“My grandmother never misses out on any opportunity to vote. She has exercised her franchise without fail at every poll for almost 35-40 years now.She thinks of it as her right and is extremely happy as I accompanied her today to cast my vote,” said Ishwari.
Vibhavan said age was not a factor that could stop her from casting her vote twice in a span of a month.
There may be a big age gap between Ishwari and Vibhavan, but there was no gap in the expectations from the elected representatives they were voting.
“The main issue in St Inez is cleanliness. The first thing they should do is initiate cleaning. Secondly, potholes should be filled.. Thirdly, stray cattle and dogs should be given shelters,” said Ishwari.
“I really hope the independents do not join hands with the wrong parties to form a majority. I want Panaji to be ruled by a candidate who is honest. Someone who can make Panaji a better city. We also need Panaji’s garbage problem to be resolved,” said another first time voter Kael Fernandes.
Another first-time voter said he would be casting his vote to the most educated candidate in the fray.