PANAJI
Revenue minister Atanansio (Babush) Monserrate further tightened his political grip on Taleigao with all seven panchayat wards going to candidates from his Taleigao Progressive Development Front, counting for which was held on Monday morning at the Bal Bhavan complex in Campal.
With four of his panel's candidates already winning without a contest, the Taleigao panchayat will have all eleven panchas owing allegiance to Monserrate.
On Sunday, the panchayat polls in seven of the eleven wards had evoked enthusiastic response with 68.79 per cent turnout reported by the election authority.
In wards I, VI, X and XI, candidates had already been elected unopposed.
In the balance seven wards where polling took place on Sunday, all witnessed a one-to-one fight but the spirited opposition put up by a combined Opposition including AAP and the Congress, could not stand up to the electoral muscle of the Monserrate camp as the results indicate.
The four panchas elected unopposed are: Siddhi Kerkar from Ward I, Estella D'Souza from Ward VI, Sagar Bandekar from Ward X and Sydney Barreto from Ward XI.
In ward II, where elections were held, long time political aide of Monserrate, Agnel D'Cunha, won bagging a huge 1,403 votes as against just 124 to his opponent Domnic D'Cunha.
Winners of the other wards which saw a contest are: Helena Pereira who defeated Emie Rodrigues in Ward III. In Ward IV Ratika Gawas defeated Madvi Kankonkar while Disha Murgaonkar won in ward V defeating Ushant Kankonkar.
Other winners were Janu Rujario in Ward VII, Maria Fernandes in ward VIII and Sanjana Divkar in ward IX.
Will not abandon
Panaji: Babush
Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate said he will not abandon Panaji constituency saying those who dream of dethroning him will only manage it in dreams.
“I will never leave Panaji, no matter how many dream about it. It will only remain a dream for them,” Monserrate said.
The minister said, the party only gives tickets based on popularity and winability which he has proved yet again today.
“I believe in the party and people have faith in me and my party, We always sweep the panel because we always work hard,” Monserrate said, adding that they get support because they work really hard.
Meanwhile, Monserrate said he will ensure that Taleigao gets a fresh face as its sarpanch.
