the goan I network
OLD GOA
Surprisingly, independent candidate Rudolf Fernandes who was tipped by many political pundits to win, came third (5262), with BJP’s Hemant Golatkar finishing second (5560). Tony polled 6202 votes to become a first-time MLA. Merces and Santa Cruz votes made the difference in the final analysis as Congress was able to get sizeable votes in both the villages. Surprisingly, Indira Nagar in Chimbel known to be a traditional votebank of Congress ditched the party this time around.
Speaking to The Goan, Fernandes thanked his mentor Babush Monserrate who was instrumental in getting him the Congress ticket. “I am very grateful to Babush as he had faith in me,” he added while stating that Monserrate went to Panjim to take on the BJP by leaving the safest constituency. On the rumour that Babush would now ask Fernandes to vacate the St Cruz seat after his loss in Panjim, Fernandes did not give a straightforward reply but said that, “Babush is a man of his word, and he has told me that to give something you have to suffer something.”
“I am a Congress MLA and have to abide by the decision of the high command,” he further added. On his plans for St Cruz, Fernandes said his first priority will be to get a small garbage treatment
plant as well as getting a sewerage line.
