the goan I network
PANAJI
A day after the polls, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a post-poll assessment with all its 36 candidates in fray. Though on the eve of the polls the party was confident that it will sweep the poll with two-third majority, party insiders have toned down rhetoric on the wining figure and now claim of winning with just a “clear” majority.
The meeting chaired by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar was attended by core committee members including Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and party State President Vinay Tendulkar. Sources, however, informed that most of the candidates have managed to submit booth-wise details of the lead they expect in the polls. The assessment submitted by the candidates has been done by the respective mandals. However, the party has done its own separate assessment -- pre-election as well as post-election.
Though Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar exuded confidence of winning in Mandrem, he did not reveal any margin. “I am confident of winning. And I am lucky I will continue as chief minister for over a month even after elections are over,” he smiled.
Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza was confident of winning with a huge margin this time too. Similarly, Environment Minister and Pernem candidate Rajendra Arlekar, Mayem candidate Pravin Zantye and Quepem candidate Prakash Velip were confident of winning but did not claim any specific margin.
Canacona candidate Vijay Poi Khot, however, claimed that he will win the election with a margin of nearly 2500 votes.
Porvorim candidate Guruprasad Pawaskar claimed that he will defeat Independent Candidate Rohan Khaunte by a margin of at least 1,000 votes.
Stating that party President Vinay Tendulkar and his entire team worked against him, Sanvordem candidate Ganesh Gaonkar claimed that he will win the polls. “Though they all worked against me, I am confident of getting a lead of at least 3000-4000 votes,” he claimed.
The lone woman candidate in Cortalim Alina Saldanha said, “If God wants me to serve the people, he will do it. I believe in my people and God’s blessings.”
Though most of the candidates who submitted their assessment report looked confident about winning, party insiders said that they are confident of winning in 18-22 constituencies.
The leaders, however, seem to have lost hope in Margao, Ponda, Marcaim, Curtorim, Velim, St Andre, St Cruz, Curtorim, St Cruz, Cortalim and Sanvordem.
Nonetheless, they also claimed that BJP witnessed tough fights in Siolim, Saligao, Panaji, Bicholim, Mayem, Fatorda and Quepem. Additionally, of the two independent candidates that BJP has backed, it is confident that Priol Candidate Govind Gaude will win the poll.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, party State President Vinay Tendulkar said, “In BJP’s strongholds, there has been nearly 85 per cent voting. In every constituency, over 1000 women have voted outclassing the number of men voters. We are certain that all those votes are of the BJP. We are confident that we will win the poll with two-third majority. As per the assessment reports submitted by the candidates and mandal presidents, we would win in 30 constituencies, but we will go with 26 seats.”
