Dattaprasad Naik says he didn’t expect this result
SHWETA KAMAT
teamherald@herald-goa.com
Herald: What led to the BJP-backed panel’s humiliating defeat in the Taleigao village panchayat election?
Naik: Money power was the only reason that people voted in favour of Babush Monserrate’s panel. The voters, who were to a great extent supporters of our ‘Together for Taleigao’ panel, on the final day, were lured by money power.
Herald: Was it just money power or the Ashok Naik panel also the reason for the defeat?
Naik: Absolutely not. It was just money power that changed the game. The third panel managed to get hardly few votes, which would not have given us victory if those votes were polled by our candidates.
Herald: Did you expect the results to be so lopsided?
Naik: Never! We thought that our panel would not do so badly. We had fielded really good candidates who were working for the cause of the people of Taleigao. It was surprising to see that the wards where I had managed to get votes during assembly elections, did not vote for the panel.
Herald: Has Taleigao failed to accept the BJP, as your panel was backed by the party?
Naik: The elections were not on party lines so you cannot say BJP is not accepted. May be our panel failed to reach out to the expectations of the voters.
Herald: What will be your future course of action?
Naik: We would be doing our own assessment as to where exactly we failed. For now, this is our priority.
