TEAM HERALD
CALANGUTE: Voters turned out in large numbers in the polls to the Calangute ZP constituency, prompting all three political heavyweights in Calangute to express confidence of victory.
There were long queues at booths at Candolim, especially at Orda and St Teresa School. Long queues were seen at St Joseph School, Don Bosco School and Govt Primary School at Naikka Vaddo, Calangute.
At Arpora, queues were witnessed at Government Primary School and St Joseph School, while turnout was comparatively lower in other booths at Candolim, Calangute and Arpora.
Though the State government had declared a paid holiday to commercial and private establishments, some hoteliers in the coastal belt did not give their staff a holiday and instead, sent their staff early to cast their votes.
Polling was by and large peaceful with no untoward incident reported.
There were, however, reports of campaigning by panchas near the polling booths at Calangute, drawing protests from the candidates.
A candidate, Ramkrishna Kerkar, complained to the polling observers and directed the police to maintain the 200-mtr cut-off distance for polling agents.
Earlier in the morning, Kerkar was in for a rude shock as none of his polling agents were initially permitted by the presiding officers, as they had not received the verified signature of the Election Agent.
At St Joseph School, Calangute, I was not permitted inside the polling booth despite being a candidate. The lady presiding officer questioned me and I had to seek the intervention of the ARO to gain entry,” complained Kerkar.
Meanwhile, all three political heavyweights in Calangute were confident that their respective candidates would emerge victorious.
Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, who has been supporting Shawn Martins, said, “The people of Calangute, Candolim, Arpora, Nagoa and Baga have cast their votes and I am confident that victory will be ours. The Lotus will still bloom in Calangute on March 20 and the results will show.”
On the other hand, former Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes claimed that his candidate, Ramkrishna Kerkar, would win and would push the BJP candidate to a distant third spot. “Our candidate will win the Calangute ZP election and will relegate the BJP candidate to a poor third,” said Fernandes.
Calangute Panch Joseph Sequeira, who is supporting the candidature of Savio Gonsalves said, “We have done the work of the villagers and are still doing it. We are confident about the victory of our candidate.”
