Team Herald
PANJIM: Atanasio Babush Monserrate had a triple celebration on Thursday with his maiden victory of the Panjim by-polls coinciding with his marriage anniversary and his son’s birthday.
Riding on the victory van, Babush first went to the Mahalaxmi Temple after leaving from the counting centre and his next stop was the Mary Immaculate Church followed by the Jama Masjid.
Speaking to Herald, Babush said the victory is the icing on the cake. “I am thankful to the people of Panjim for having faith in me. I am very happy with the victory and the day has become more special due to the marriage anniversary and Rohit’s birthday. It is like icing on the cake.”
In a closely fought contest, Babush polled 8748 votes out of 16918 defeating the BJP candidate Sidharth Kuncalienkar who polled 6990 votes by a margin of 1758 votes.
The triple celebrations witnessed two victory rallies across the capital one immediately after the declaration of the EVM counts and one later in the evening after receiving the certificate from the returning officer announcing his win.
In a gesture of gratitude, Babush rallied across the length and breadth of the constituency in Panjim and Ribandar standing atop a truck with his supporters and wife Jennifer Monserrate by his side.
