TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Two-time ZP member Maria Rebello retained the high profile Benaulim ZP seat by defeating Honey D’Costa, the candidate backed by Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva.
Maria romped home to victory against his close rival Honey D’Costa by a comfortable margin of 2170 votes. While Maria polled 6009 votes, his close rival had to be content with 3839 votes. Walter Pereira finished third with 1433 votes.
After the election, Maria said that the people of Benaulim have shown local MLA Caitu Silva his place. She said that Caitu had gone door to door in support of Honey’s candidature, but added that the people of Benaulim did not fall prey to him. “The people have voted me for my development. They did not listen to the MLA, who moved door to door,” Maria said.
Former PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao, who made his presence felt at the counting centre to wish Maria, said that people of Benaulim have rejected the BJP. “BJP will be routed from Goa if ballot papers are used for the Assembly polls,” he said.
Benaulim MLA Caitu Silva, however, said that Maria has won the election because people of the village rallied behind her since she was hailing from the village. Besides, he said that huge money was pumped in the election campaign and that went against Honey.
Honey said he will try to find out what has gone wrong for him in the constituency while alleging that heavy money in the election.
