The by-poll results may have gone on expected lines, but there are major takeaways for both the BJP and Congress Party. Girish should be commended for polling 5059 votes, the highest ever by any Congress candidate over the years. The numbers which the Congress garnered should come as a big booster for the party which has hardly any presence in the capital city. The Party should also take pride in the fact that its hand-picked candidate, a rank outsider from Salcete fought valiantly against the chief minister who was backed by a formidable line-up of Vijai Sardessai, Babush Monserrate, MGP allies and Independents. Interestingly, Girish polled more votes than Parrikar in three wards and even higher than what Babush polled in 2017.
The BJP and Parrikar have to now do serious introspection on why around 5000-odd voters are always voting against the party. This is Parrikar's 6th victory since he first won in 1994, but the BJP has never come to terms with this sizeable voter base which have been historically voting against them. These 5,000 voters are not ready to accept Parrikar even though he may be seen as a mass leader of the State.
This was nonetheless a comfortable win for Parrikar, but the Babush factor didn't reflect in Parrikar's win, with the 8,000-plus margin which was projected falling way off the mark. It also indicates that the BJP did not have any significant gains from the support of the Babush camp. Against the backdrop of Babush extending his support to Parrikar, what remains to be seen is how Parrikar accommodates Babush.
In Valpoi, BJP candidate Vishwajit Rane swept past Congress nominee Roy Naik in indomitable style. The Junior Rane won by over 10,060 votes to only establish the fact that it is sheer vote for the individual. The very fact that Vishwajit got a sizeable Muslim vote speaks of his rapport with this community. Rane also took a strong grip over Usgao, a known Roy stronghold. New challenges await Jr Rane after he crossed this first major hurdle in style. His performance in the cabinet will now be closely watched and the Muslims will now bank on him to deliver .
On the flip side, any chances of Congress bouncing back to power with by-poll victories have vanished in thin air. This verdict sets aside the theory that the BJP government is not acceptable to the electorate, as this mandate is clearly for the saffron party. The ‘stolen mandate' slogan will die a natural death with this BJP win.
The BJP and Parrikar have to now do serious introspection on why around 5000-odd voters are always voting against the party. This is Parrikar's 6th victory since he first won in 1994, but the BJP has never come to terms with this sizeable voter base which have been historically voting against them. These 5,000 voters are not ready to accept Parrikar even though he may be seen as a mass leader of the State.
This was nonetheless a comfortable win for Parrikar, but the Babush factor didn't reflect in Parrikar's win, with the 8,000-plus margin which was projected falling way off the mark. It also indicates that the BJP did not have any significant gains from the support of the Babush camp. Against the backdrop of Babush extending his support to Parrikar, what remains to be seen is how Parrikar accommodates Babush.
In Valpoi, BJP candidate Vishwajit Rane swept past Congress nominee Roy Naik in indomitable style. The Junior Rane won by over 10,060 votes to only establish the fact that it is sheer vote for the individual. The very fact that Vishwajit got a sizeable Muslim vote speaks of his rapport with this community. Rane also took a strong grip over Usgao, a known Roy stronghold. New challenges await Jr Rane after he crossed this first major hurdle in style. His performance in the cabinet will now be closely watched and the Muslims will now bank on him to deliver .
On the flip side, any chances of Congress bouncing back to power with by-poll victories have vanished in thin air. This verdict sets aside the theory that the BJP government is not acceptable to the electorate, as this mandate is clearly for the saffron party. The ‘stolen mandate' slogan will die a natural death with this BJP win.
