VALPOI, OCT 18
Both candidates, Vishwajeet Rane of the Congress and Santosh Haldankar of the BJP expressed confidence of winning the bye-elections, going by the large turnout at the polls on Monday.
Congress candidate Vishwajeet Rane was seen visiting the booths repeatedly throughout the day. He paid his last visit of the day at a Valpoi booth at about 4.55 pm.
Speaking to media persons, Rane expressed confidence of winning, but said the exact margin cannot be predicted at this point of time. However, he hesitatingly said he would win by about 5,500 vote margin.
Rane also expressed satisfaction over the election staff, including collector, for the successful implementation of the PMS.
Rane warned Parrikar to stop misleading Valpoi people. He said the exact picture would be clear after results on Oct 21.
BJP candidate Santosh Haldankar was also seen making rounds at various booths, mostly in the village area, after he cast his vote at Valpoi booth at about 8.15 am.
Speaking to Herald, Haldankar expressed confidence of winning, but said whoever wins the margin will be very less.
Haldankar too expressed satisfaction and appreciated the successful implementation of PMS.
Both the candidates, Vishwajeet and Santosh, thanked the people for turning up in large number despite heavy rains in Valpoi.
Interestingly, neither senior BJP leaders nor senior Congress leaders were seen in Valpoi on Monday.
