THE GOAN NETWORK
PORVORIM
Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte suffered a setback at the ZP elections when the candidate backed by him lost the Socorro ZP constituency, but had the consolation of getting his independent candidate successful at the Penha de Franca ZP constituency election.
The BJP emerged as the biggest gainer, having won the Socorro ZP seat and retaining the Reis Magos ZP seat in Porvorim.
SOCORRO ZP: BJP candidate Kartik Kudnekar won the Socorro ZP election by a slim margin of 514 votes. Kudnekar polled 5,319 votes defeated the sitting ZP member Vaishally Satardekar (4,805 votes), who was supported by Khaunte.
AAP candidate Mario Cordeiro secured 1,500 votes and Congress candidate Sarvesh Naik could only get 633 votes.
PENHA DE FRANCA ZP: Khaunte, however, retained his control at the Penha de Franca ZP constituency, when his independent candidate, Kavita Naik, defeated the BJP candidate, Radhika Sawant, by 1,678 votes.
Kavita Naik polled 4,543 votes, while BJP candidate Radhika Sawant could get 2,865 votes and Congress candidate Pedrina Gracias was left with 875 votes.
Speaking to reporters, RDA Minister and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said their candidate, Kartik Kudnekar, is a down-to-earth person, which is why people have elected him.
“BJP karyakartas played a major role in getting him elected and BJP has proved its supremacy in Socorro ZP constituency,” said Lobo.
On the other hand, Khaunte alleged that the use of government machinery and money power had played an important role in the victory of BJP candidate in the Socorro ZP election.
“The joint venture of BJP and Congress led to a split of votes, which is why the BJP candidate won in Socorro. Nevertheless, I congratulate Kartik Kudnekar and hope he will support in the development of Porvorim constituency.”
“I am not disappointed as I have faith in my people, who have reposed their faith in me by electing candidate, Kavita Naik, in Penha de Franca ZP constituency,” said Khaunte.
REIS MAGOS ZP: Sitting BJP candidate Rupesh Naik got re-elected by defeating Congress candidate Hemant Malvankar by a huge margin of 2958 votes to win the Reis Magos ZP constituency.
Naik polled 4,708 votes while Malvankar secured 1,750 votes and independent candidate, Pragati Pednekar managed 1,586 votes.
