Team Herald
CUNCOLIM: Yuri Alemao, son of former Cuncolim MLA Joaquim Alemao, has once again proved his undisputed dominance in Cuncolim Constituency by electing nine councillors from his panel to the Cuncolim Municipal Council.
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BJP MLA Clafasio Dias, however, suffered a major setback in the municipality elections. The BJP had fielded candidates in 11 wards, out of which only four candidates emerged victorious. One independent candidate made an entry.
From Ward No 1, Gauri Shetkar Dessai of Alemao panel defeated Georgina Gama, a staunch supporter of MLA Dias. Gauri bagged an unexpected victory with 47 votes from the ward reserved for Other Backward Class women. Gauri secured 250 votes while Georgina got 203 votes.
In Ward No 2, Gaonkarwado Poitomado ward, 10 candidates were in fray. Footballer and Coach Raymond D’Souza won by 187 votes and his nearest rival Bharat Gavkar got 169 votes.
Jamira Piries of Alemao group won from Ward No 3, reserved for women. Piries got 223 votes while Nima Desai of BJP got 186 votes.
BJP’s Rupa Gavkar won from Ward No 4 Talwada for women belonging to Scheduled Tribes. Rupa got 337 votes while her nearest rival Sangeeta Gavkar got 236 votes.
Senior former councillor Dr Laxman Naik won from Ward No 5. He defeated Maju Shirwant by just 29 votes. Former vice chairperson Mario Morais got just 70 votes.
In Ward No 6, reserved for OBC, Alemao panel’s John Dias defeated BJP’s Nadadeep Naik. Dias secured 342 votes while Nandadeep got 214 votes.
Cecilia Fernandes of Alemao group won in Ward No 7 reserved for women and defeated Maria, wife of former vice chairperson Mario Morais.
In Ward No 8, former chairperson Polita Carneiro won. Polita secured 392 votes while Justin Pereira of Alemao panel got 319 votes.
In Ward No 9, Demani Udesh Desai defeated his nearest rival former chairperson Angela and former councillor Nagesh Chitari. Young councillor Udesh became the giant killer. Udesh secured 202 votes while Nagesh got 148 votes.
Rahul Desai, another youth from Ward No 10 defeated Marian Suwaris of Alemao group. Rahul got 359 votes while Marian got 335 votes.
In Ward No 11, Bhiunsa ward, Vishal Dessai defeated former chairperson Lavita Mascarenhas and former councillor Premdeep Dessai. Vishal got 488 votes while Premdeep got 191 votes.
Former chairperson Landry Mascarenas won from Ward No 12, Dandora. He defeated Samadhan Desai by 52 votes.
In Ward No 13, former councillor Anthony Vaz from Alemao panel defeated Malbon D’Costa by 92 votes.
In Ward No 14, Culwada, former vice chairperson Videsh Desai defeated former chairperson Prasad Desai by a wide margin. Videsh secured 480 votes while Prasad bagged 236 votes. This election was a litmus test for BJP MLA Clafacio and former MLA Joachim Alemao’s son Yuri. The test was won by Yuri and MLA Clafacio and the BJP Mandal had to face a big blow.
While commenting on the results of Cuncolim Municipal Council elections, Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat said that the Cuncolkars had taught a lesson all Goans to uphold the values of democracy and that the people were with those who do development.
Kamat said Cuncolkars did not succumb to the government’s pressure and they gave verdict to development.Yuri Alemao thanked the voters for reposing faith in him.
“All the Opposition had joined hands with the BJP to defeat my panel but the voters believed in me without succumbing to any pressure,” he said.
Yuri sealed the name of senior councillor Laxman Naik as the future chairperson while Anthony Vaz’s name was decided for vice chairperson’s post by his panel.
