MARGAO: In a strange turn of events, ex-Camurlim Sarpanch Basil Fernandes, who had resigned from the post, necessitating the election for the vacant post of Sarpanch, threw his hat in the election of the new Sarpanch on Monday.
Basil, however, managed to poll just two votes in the 7-member Camurlim Panchayat body, which saw the election of Elvis Dias as the new Sarpanch. In the triangular contest, Elvis polled four votes, while the ex-Sarpanch had to be content with just two votes. The third candidate Anthony Fernandes poled a lone vote.
Taking the defeat in his stride, the outgoing Sarpanch Basil Fernandes, who had presided as the Camurlim Sarpanch for a long time, said he had thrown his hat in the ring as part of a strategy.
He said he had quit office last month to provide an opportunity for other members to take over the reigns of office. Basil, however, said that he decided to seek re-election for the vacant post of Sarpanch after a couple of members insisted that he contest the election.
Meanwhile, newly-elected Sarpanch Elvis Dias has told the media that he would accord top priority to address the issues facing the village.
