the goan I network
CANACONA
It was a clear case of a split in the BJP camp as Vijay Pai Khot of BJP polled 8,745 votes, while rebel BJP candidate Ramesh Tawadkar secured 7,739 votes, with Isidore clearly benefitting from this split by polling 10,853 votes.
The other candidates in the fray, Sandesh Telekar of AAP (452) and Gourish Bandekar of MGP (398) did not make any impact. The NOTA votes were 302.
It was a consolation victory of sorts for Vijay Pai Khot as he relegated his arch rival Tawadkar to third spot, in a bitterly fought battle for the BJP ticket.
On hearing news of Isidore’s victory, his supporters began to burst firecrackers in every other areas of Chaudi, the main commercial hub of Canacona, Agonda, Bhatpal, Gaondongrim, Khotigao, Poinguinim and Fernandes’ home village Loliem.
It was a tense few hours as the counting for the Canacona seat was delayed by 6 hours, as the original schedule counting was to be held at 11.30 am, but results were out only past 5.30 in the evening.
After busting of crackers, hundreds of Isidore’s supporters and well-wishers waited at Gulem for the arrival of Fernandes, and they staged a victory rally to Chaudi, where Isidore first entered St Theresa of Jesus church and later visited Shri Mallikarjun Temple, Shristhal, to thank the gods for his success.
Fernandes, was quick to thank his voters for reposing faith in him. “I am indeed humbled and thankful to each of my voters for voting for me. I appreciate all your guts to stand against pressures and terrorising tactics of a few, and still coming out to vote for me. I promise to deliver to the people of Canacona to the best of my abilities,” said Fernandes.
Canacona Congress Block President Elvis Fernandes, while speaking to The Goan over the phone outside the counting hall at Margao, also praised Isidore and party workers for the victory.
“It was not an easy task, but the combined efforts of Congressmen made it possible to wrest this seat from BJP stronghold. but Isidore’s personal visits to most households paid rich dividends,”
he said.
Both Khot and Tawadkar were not available to react to their defeats, despite efforts to contact them.
