Team Herald
MARGAO: Goans appear to have sent a clear message that family raj in politics has to end, but the Ranes have once again proven that they are an exception to electoral trends in Goa and this time, the father-son duo was elected yet again while other families in the fray had to bite the dust.
The Alemao family, which was totally routed in 2012, made a comeback of sorts with Churchill Alemao winning from Benaulim, but his brother Joaquim Alemao lost in Cuncolim. However, contesting as an Independent, Joaquim gave a tough fight to Congress candidate Clafacio Dias who ultimately emerged victorious by just over 30 votes.
The Monserrates who emerged victorious in 2012 had to taste mixed fortunes this time around. While Jennifer Monserrate was re-elected from Taleigao, her husband Atanasio alias Babush Monserrate had to bite the dust in Panjim. Incidentally, this is the first time that Babush has lost an election.
The Congress also had mixed fortunes with the Kavalekar family. Chandrakant alias Babu Kavalekar won the Quepem seat once again, but his wife Savitri Kavalekar who was contesting from Sanguem for the first time, was defeated.
The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party too had to taste mixed fortunes as its president Pandurang alias Deepak Dhavalikar lost from Priol while his brother Ramkrishna alias Sudin Dhavalikar won from Marcaim with the highest margin of votes in the 2017 Assembly elections.
