PANAJI: Even as majority of panchayats in Tiswadi were formed unopposed, some like the Merces panchayat had to see elections as two candidates each applied for the post of Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch.
In the end, though, the results left everybody surprised as the candidates tipped to win lost out narrowly.
While Assis Fernandes and Pramod Kamat were fighting for the sarpanch's post, Filomena Pereira and Rajesh Faterpekar were pitted against each other for the deputy sarpanch's post.
And till the election results were declared, both Pramod and Rajesh were tipped to win as sources informed that one panch from the Assis's panel had switched sides overnight.
However, the drama that unfolded turned the tables as Assis and his panel were able to counter the move and get one panch from Pramod's panel to switch over thereby ensuring that they had a majority of 6 panchas.
And both Pramod and Rajesh had to suffer defeats narrowly by 6-5 votes with Assis and company having the last laugh.
