BICHOLIM
It was a setback for Chief Minister Pramod Sawant as Congress-backed candidate Rajendra Ameshkar defeated the BJP-backed candidate Dashrath Ajgaonkar by a
slim margin of 17 votes in Ward 9.
The consequences of the by-poll will be clear as the Congress-controlled SMC had already moved a no-confidence motion against SMC chairperson Yashvant Madkar last week.
While Ameshkar secured 259 votes in the by-poll, Ajgaonkar polled 242.
Before the by-poll, the Congress and BJP backed panels had six members apiece in the 13-ward council and a win at the by-poll was crucial for both panels to secure a majority.
Dharmesh Saglani, who is leading the Congress charge, said they had moved a no-confidence motion against Madkar on March 18.
“With the results of the by-poll, the Congress-backed councillors will be in power at SMC soon,” said Saglani.
