MARGAO:
The BJP sounded upbeat over the 69.27 per cent voter turnout in the bye-election for ward 21 of the Margao Municipal Council, exuding confidence of a swing in favour of the party-backed candidate, even as five-time Margao MLA Digambar Kamat reminded the rival camp that people of the Aquem ward has been continuously electing his nominee from the ward over the last 15 years.
As the two sides exuded confidence of winning the by-poll, all eyes are now focused on the counting of votes which will take place in the office of the returning officer, Ajit Panchwadkar on Monday morning.
Exactly 69.27 per cent of the electorate cast their vote in the bye-election, with around 781 males and 806 females casting their ballots.
The BJP city-brass was on the ground, monitoring the situation and taking stock of the voters turnout throughout Sunday. Party Assembly ticket aspirants, Bhai Naik, Sharmad Raiturkar and Rupesh Mahatme, who put up an united face behind party candidate Succorina Fernandes, were on the field in the ward on the day of polling.
On the other hand, Digambar was spotted moving in Aquem area along with his close supporters, monitoring the situation in the ward, which has been repeatedly electing his candidates since the last decade and half.
After polling ended at 5 pm, Digambar told The Goan that the 69.27 voting percentage is good and as per his expectations. “This has predominantly been our ward since the last 15 years. People from this ward repeatedly elected our candidates over the years. Late Ashlesha too had worked in this ward and our candidate Deepa Shirodkar would certainly benefit from her work,” Digambar added.
While asked to react that BJP leaders have exuded optimism of winning the by-poll, Kamat said “wait for the results till Monday”, indicating that his camp too is confident of a victory.
BJP leaders, Bhai Naik and Sharmad Raiturkar said the BJP-backed candidate will win the by-poll given the huge turnout of voters. “I am confident that people of Aquem will vote for a change this time,” Bhai said.
Sharmad said the voter turnout shows a decisive swing in the mood of the Aquem electorate towards the BJP. “The prevailing mood is against the arrogance of the rival camp. People were looking for a change. And, the voting shows that people have voted for a change,” Sharmad said, making it amply clear that the future trend in Margao in the coming Assembly election will be revealed in this by-poll.
A total of three candidates were in the fray for the by-poll “ BJP-backed Succorina Fernandes, Digambar Kamat-backed Deepa Shirodkar, and Sonali Kale, backed by the Shadow Council of Margao.
The by-poll, however, was virtually reduced to a battle between Succorina and Deepa and was billed as the semi-final battle between Digmabar and BJP ahead of the 2017 Assembly poll.
