Large youth turnout at Mandrem and Pernem
PERNEM: The fate of 15 candidates in Pernem taluka was sealed in the ballots, as voters exercised their franchise in Pernem and Mandrem constituencies on Saturday.
Polling went off peacefully in all 94 booths of Pernem taluka, even as a high number of voters turned out to exercise their franchise.
Voters of a political party were seen transporting the disabled and ailing voters to the polling stations. Two polling booths at Parsem (Mandrem) and Pernekar school (Pernem) were declared as pink booths and were fully handled by women election staff.
When contacted, Chief Minister and Mandrem's BJP candidate Laximikant Parsekar claimed that voting had taken place peacefully for the first time in the State.
“I can say at least 80 per cent youth must have voted for the BJP. I am confident of BJP's victory in both Pernem and Mandrem constituencies
BJP's Pernem candidate Rajendra Arlekar was also sure of victory. “I will win by over 5,000 votes. I will now have some time to attend to my hurting leg,” he said,
On the other hand, Parsekar's main rival and Congress candidate, Dayanand Sopte, was equally confident of his victory.
“Congress workers as well as a number of BJP workers supported me and I will win by 3,000 votes,” he said.
MGP's Pernem candidate Manohar alias Babu Ajgaonkar said the election in Pernem constituency was one-sided, "I assure you that I will take a lead in all 48 booths. I am sure of my win,” said Ajgaonkar.
