BJP retains Reis Magos, Davorlim ZP seats

PANJIM: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to retain the Reis Magos and Davorlim Zilla Panchayat seats while the Independent candidate backed by the saffron party won from Cortalim. 

The mandate to BJP is a clear indication that voters have accepted the decision of Saligao MLA Kedar Naik, who defected from Congress to join BJP and Cortalim Independent MLA Anthony Vaz, who had extended his support to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to form the government. 

BJP’s Paresh Naik won from Davorlim while Sandeep Bandodkar emerged victorious in Reis Magos. In Cortalim, Independent candidate Merciana Mendes e Vaz, wife of MLA Anthony Vaz, was declared winner. BJP had not fielded its candidate and had extended support to Vaz. 

The ZP by-elections were necessitated after the Reis Magos seat fell vacant after Rupesh Naik quit to contest as an Independent candidate from Saligao constituency.

The Davorlim ZP seat fell vacant after Ulhas Tuemkar got elected as MLA on the BJP ticket from Navelim during the State Assembly elections held in February. In Cortalim, ZP member Anthony Vaz was elected as an Independent MLA.

What is interesting was that Congress, which was considered as prime opposition, continued to sink with its candidates emerging at third or fourth position. On the other hand, AAP gave a close call to BJP in Davorlim. Independent managed to get maximum vote share. 

The Chief Minister Pramod Sawant thanked the people for their support and the winning candidates. 

“I am sure you (winners) will continue to work at the grassroots to take good governance of BJP to the people,” he said. 

BJP State President Sadanand Shet Tanavade said the verdict is a confirmation that people have continued their faith in the party. 

“It is also a confirmation that people have accepted Kedar Naik’s decision to join BJP and Anthony Vaz decision to support BJP in forming government,” he said. 

Tanavade said the victory is a slap on those who calculated BJP’s victory in State Assembly election based on division of votes among the opposition. “People have blessed BJP once again and helped us to retain the seats,” he said. 

He has expressed confidence that BJP will win both the Lok Sabha seats with clear majority. 

“I challenge the Opposition to put up a joint fight against BJP to ensure that there is no division of votes for Lok Sabha. BJP will win,” he said. 

BJP National President JP Nadda and Goa desk in-charge CT Ravi also congratulated the party on the victory.