TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: He did not publicly associate himself with two-time Zilla member and former ZP Chairperson Maria Rebello as part of a strategy during the entire election campaign for the Benaulim seat. And, neither did Maria publicly claim that she was the candidate fielded and backed by the former PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao.
But moments after the election process came to an end at 5 pm on Wednesday, former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao and Maria came together to flash victory signs at Voltar-Benaulim bordering Varca village.
Churchill evaded a query as to why he did not identify himself with Maria in Benaulim, other than saying he had from day one supported Maria. “Maria has been my candidate from day one. This election has been a battle between me and the Benaulim MLA. People have voted for their choice of the candidate”, Churchill said, adding that Maria will take a lead in all the Panchayat areas, right from Cavelossim, Carmona, Orlim and Benaulim. Maria, who was all smiles, said that barring two or three panch members most of the sarpanchas and panchas from the villages in Benaulim constituency had supported the candidate fielded by the local MLA.
