MARGAO: rAll eyes then focused on ward No 1 where former Sarpanch Inacio Mariano Fernandes was locked in a straight fight with former deputy Sarpanch Minu Antonio Fernandes. rBoth the camps were anxiously awaiting the result from Ward No 1 as it held the key in the formation of the Betalbatim Panchayat. As counting ended, the election officials put the total votes polled by Minu Antonio to 145 as against 140 votes polled by rival Inacio.. With just a difference of five votes, Inacio immediately applied for a re-count, but Minu was declared elected.
Betalbatim goes down to the wire
In the battle for Betalbatim panchayat, counting of votes for ward 1 gave some anxious moments for both MLA Wilfred D’Sa and Mickky Pacheco’s supporters after both the camps were tied 3-3 in the 7-member Panchayat body.
