Goa, Oct. 23 -- JUINO DE SOUZA

The Congress has just concluded its "Goy Ra khon Yatra," culminat ing in a grand finale attended by Rahul Gandhi. Meanwhile, the BJP appears unruffled and has rolled out its fa vourite "Sarkar Tumchya Dari," also drawing crowds of people hoping to finally get their long-pending griev ances addressed. While both initiatives have succeeded in drawing public participation, the larger question is wheth er these political exercises will translate into political votes for these parties, given that numerous rival candi dates, independent aspirants and smaller political outfits will also be in the fray con testing and competing for public support.

The forthcoming assem bly election is not merely a political ritual...