OLD GOA
Even as the split in votes contributed to the loss of Congress in many constituencies in the State, it was the other way around in Cumbarjua as a divide in the BJP share helped Congress regain the Cumbarjua seat.
Congress candidate Rajesh Faldessai (6,776) won by 2,827 votes with BJP’s Janita Madkaikar (3,949) emerging second.
With this loss, the stranglehold of Pandurang Madkaikar over Cumbarjua, where he reigned supreme for 20 years, finally came to an end.
However, contributing to the loss of Madkaikar was another BJP leader Rohan Harmalkar who contested as an Independent and secured 3,870 votes.
Another former close aide of Madkaikar, Samil Volvoikar, who contested on the TMC banner, also polled 3,072 votes, thereby further denting the prospects of BJP’s Madkaikar.
Apart from Harmalkar and Volvoikar spoiling the chances of BJP, it was also the ill health of Pandurang Madkaikar which contributed immensely to the loss of his wife as he was not able to dictate terms like he used to.
The open displeasure displayed by Siddesh Naik, the son of MP Shripad Naik, over being denied a BJP ticket also hampered the prospects of BJP.
