MARGAO
Ruling BJP’s gamble in fielding a panel in the elections for the panchayats in Navelim constituency threw up mixed results even as first time MLA Ulhas Tuenkar exuded confidence of forming panchayats at least in two panchayats, if not more.
The party, however, opened its account in Navelim panchayat in the Dongorim ward when party candidate Damodar Chawan made it to the panchayat in the election. The MLA, however, suffered a setback in his home panchayat of Rumdamol when the BJP managed to win just two seats, which saw the defeat of party spokesman Urfan Mulla at the hands of Umran Pathan.
In fact, the MLA has pointed out that while the BJP had won in just 3 wards in the five panchayat bodies in the previous elections, the tally has gone up to 11 in the just concluded election. Besides, he said another six BJP-supported candidates have made it to the panchayats of Aquem-Baixo, Davorlim and Navelim.
After the results were out, the BJP MLA, who had fielded panels in the panchayats of Aquem-Baixo, Davorlim and Rumdamol, said the party has won four seats each in the 7-member Aquem-Baixo and 11-member Davorlim village panchayats, exuding confidence of forming the panchayats with the help of party-backed supporters.
He, however, conceded that the BJP has managed to win just two seats in the Rumdamol village panchayat, with sitting Sarpanch Vinayak Volvoikar retaining his seat. The biggest setback for the party came when party spokesman Urfan Mulla failed to make a debut in the village panchayat.
He said the BJP has for the first time opened its account in the Navelim panchayat with party worker Damodar Chawan winning from Dongorim ward. Besides, he said that two party-backed supporters have made it to the Navelim.
