CUNCOLIM: Independents triumphed, while heavyweights MLA Rajan Naik and former MLA Joaquim Alemao suffered a humiliating defeat at the Cuncolim municipal elections.
BJP won only two out of twelve wards, while only four of Joaquim’s candidates managed to win. Incidentally, Joaquim had declared that the municipal elections would pave the way for his comeback.
Independents Mario Moraes and Lavita Mascarenhas are expected to play a major role in the council formation. The winning candidates are: Udesh Naik (Panzorconi), Sashank Dessai (Veroda), Ashok Fadte (Talwada), Succorina Coutinho (Gulleacotto), Kiran Naik (Sanvorcotto), Mario Morais (Comba), Polita Carneiro (Maddicotto), Angela Paigunkar (Demani), Premdeep Dessai (Bhiunsa), Lavita Mascarenhas (Dandora), Prenzy Coutinho (Voddi), Videsh Dessai (Culwada). Of the elected candidates, nine are new faces, two are sitting councillors and one is a former councillor. Five women were elected; four from reserved wards and one from a general ward.
