CANACONA
Admitting that the late declaration of its candidate had given rival BJP a bigger lead in Canacona constituency, INDIA bloc leaders have, however, assured to continue working together for a strong INDIA bloc candidate in Canacona at the 2027 assembly polls.
Addressing a news conference at the Shristhal panchayat hall on Friday, the INDIA bloc leaders congratulated newly elected South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fernandes but regretted that they were unable to bag 3,000 more votes in Canacona.
While BJP candidate Pallavi Dempo had polled 16,318 votes, Capt. Viriato had bagged 9,134 votes in Canacona constituency.
“We got about 300 fewer votes in Agonda (Congress led by 131 votes) and over 500 votes less in Canacona municipality (BJP had a lead of 2944 votes). We were expected to win in Shristhal by over 300 votes (BJP led by 717 votes), while we got 500 votes fewer in Poinguinim (BJP had a lead of 1401 votes),” said INDIA Bloc Spokesperson Vikas Bhagat.
“We had about 400 votes less in Loliem-Polem (BJP led by 792 votes), about 400 lesser in Gaondongrim (BJP led by 758 votes), and about 200 votes lesser in Cotigao (BJP led by 744 votes).”
“We were expecting over 11,000 votes, but got only 9134 votes,” said Bhagat.
Bhagat said Capt. Viriato got a lesser number of votes than expectations due to the late declaration of INDI bloc candidate and paucity of time to approach the electorate.
“It became impossible to reach out to all panchayats, and even sufficient number of corner meetings could not be held and we should have held a few more. Only one public meeting with the candidate was held at Chaudi.”
“Despite this, people have shown their faith in the INDIA bloc, as in 2022 we got 5,600 plus votes for the Assembly elections, which we increased by 75-80% at this parliamentary polls. (9134).”
“In future, we will continue with our INDI Alliance with our target for the 2027 assembly polls. We will continue to take on the issues of the people be it water supply, power supply, roads, etc.,” Bhagat added.
Thanking the people of Canacona for vote for Congress candidate Capt. Viriato Fernandes, Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari said BJP had made extra efforts, including the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during three-four campaign visits, to woo the electorate.
Others addressing the news conference included former Shristhal Sarpanch and Goa Forward Leader Pandurang (Datta) Gaonkar, and South Goa Congress Organisation General Secretary Gaspar Countinho. Congress Mahila Block President Ursila Tukbi and a few other INDIA bloc leaders were also present at the news conference.
