THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
He may not be well-known outside of Mormugao takuka, but independent candidate Anton Vas had sufficient firepower to demolish rivals of political parties and get re-elected for a second successive term as Cortalim ZP member by securing a staggering 73% of the total votes polled.
Vas secured a staggering 5,855 of the total 7,941 votes, destroying the Congress candidate Lopinho Xavier (1,288) by a massive margin of 4,567 votes. The AAP candidate Pobres Vaz secured 652 votes, while 146 votes were rejected.
Such was the dominance of Vas, that he took a lead of 2,507 votes, including two postal votes in the first round itself and the lead of 2060 votes in the second round confirmed his victory.
Mormugao Dy Collector Sachin Desai declared Vas as the winner after the counting was over.
Speaking to reporters, Vas attributed his victory to the people of Cortalim ZP constituency.
“It is a gift given to me by people for all the work I have taken up and I am grateful for such a huge margin. I will always strive to do what best I can as a ZP member and though I have been in politics for 30 years, I have never taken the support of the government.”
“I will go forward and all my future actions and decisions will be taken after consulting the peopl" said Vas.
"I achieved 100% of my assurances as promised in my previous manifesto during my previous tenure. I also carried out not only development work but also social work under Cortalim Farmers Club, Cortalim Urban Cooperative Society and now I will soon launch the Cortalim Agricultural Marketing Society to help farmers in the area," said Vas.
‘Will contest assembly polls from Cortalim’
THE GOAN NETWORK
VASCO
Having won the Cortalim ZP poll with a staggering margin for an independent candidate, Anton Vas has now set his eyes on the assembly polls for a second time.
"I had contested the last Cortalim assembly elections as an independent, but lost by only 500 votes to BJP MLA Alina Saldanha.”
“This time too, I will contest the assembly elections because people want me to contest again and they have already given me their mandate at this election. However, the final call on assembly elections or my further support to the ZP panel will be taken after consulting my supporters,” said Vas.
