MARGAO
In an interesting development, former sarpanch Valentino Barretto returned to the hot post in Chinchinim.
While Valentino won the election with 6-5 votes, the candidate fielded by his group for the post of deputy sarpanch, however, lost the seat.
In the election for the post of deputy sarpanch, the candidate from the other group, Sharmila Gracias won by 6-5 votes against Joyce Rebello.
While questions were raised about whether the ruling group has lost the post of deputy sarpanch due to cross-voting, Valentino sought to downplay the episode by saying that someone from the group might have voted for Sharmila due to oversight.
“I do not think there was cross-voting in the election. One of the members might have voted for Sharmila due to oversight,” Valentino said, adding that the episode will have no bearing on the ruling group of six members.
