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THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA: As Panaji voted on Sunday to elect its MLA, each of the candidates of the political parties claimed it was winning the seat.
But unlike the other candidates belonging to political parties who rattled the number of votes they would poll, Congress candidate, Anatasio (Babush) Monseratte, refused to put a number on the total votes he would poll or on his victory margin.
“Let’s wait for May 23. You will come to know the total number of votes polled and margin too,” Monserrate said.
However, the former MLA appeared confident and said once he wins the Panaji seat, he would be the only candidate to have won from three constituencies in the State.
He has earlier contested and won from Taleigao and St Cruz assembly constituencies.
According to BJP candidate, Siddharth Kuncolienkar, voting has taken place on expected lines and his victory was assured.
“We have targeted 10,000 plus votes. The rest will be divided among other candidates in the fray,” Kuncolienkar said.
He further said BJP’s relationship with the people, the work party has done for the last 25 years and late CM Manhoar Parrikar’s name and blessings would take him through.
Aam Aadmi Party’s Valmiki Naik said that when AAP contests, more people come out to vote.
“This time not only disgruntled voters but Congress and BJP supporters have also voted for AAP. I expect to get 8,000 votes. We expect to win as almost 50 percent are silent voters, who are sick and tired on what has been happening in Goa in the last two years,” Naik said.
With the voting percentage crossing 70 percent, Subhash Velingkar of Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) said his victory was a forgone conclusion.
“The voting has taken place as per our expectations. Since the voting has crossed 70 percent, it’s to our advantage,” Velingkar said.
“Secondly, as per our booth-wise calculation, we are getting a total of 8,250 votes and winning the Panaji seat,” he added.
He further said that BJP would be relegated to the third place.
