Team Herald
MARGAO: Congress candidate Francisco Sardinha has been elected to the Lok Sabha for the fourth time with a modest margin of 9755 votes defeating BJP candidate Adv Narendra Sawaikar. Sardinha pulled in 2,01,561 votes in this election, while Sawaikar managed to muster 191806 votes.
Sardinha has dedicated the win to his party workers, MLAs of Congress and people for having worked for his victory in little time.
The process of counting encountered hitches late in the night after some 4 vote difference was being witnessed. The District Electoral Officer Ajit Roy, IAS, held on to the results till 10.30 pm. It was after the winning Congress candidate MP Francisco Sardinha came to the center the results came out clear.
Sardinha got 2,01,561 votes as against Sawaikar’s 19,1806 votes, Elvis Gomes got 20,891 votes, Rakhi Naik of Shiv Sena got 1763 votes, Independent Candidate Dr Kalidas Vaingankar got 1413 and Independent Candidate Mayur Khanconkar got 1705 votes.
The defeat of Sawaikar was a surprise for South Goa as the tall leaders of BJP on the lines of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and others had planned and campaigned for their South Goa Candidate.
“I accept my defeat. I thank everyone for the support and cooperation throughout my tenure as MP. I will continue my work for the people and the BJP,” Adv Sawaikar said after the results.
There were six candidates in the fray in South Goa but the actual fight was between the BJP and the Congress. Sardinha after leading with small margins in the first round zoom passed Adv Sawaikar with leads in Benaulim, Nuvem, Navelim, Cuncolim, Curtorim, Cortalim, Fatorda, Margao and Quepem.
Reacting to his lead, Sardinha said, “The South Goa seat would have gone if the candidature had been given to someone else. This win is dedicated to the unity of the workers of Congress. Sudin Dhavalikar even after not being from the Congress still worked for me.”
He also reiterated his desire to start Dhirio in Goa.
Elvis Gomes in a social media message said, “We accept people’s mandate in all humility. I accept responsibility for the party’s poor showing and the party will meet shortly to discuss on the way forward. The party congratulates all the winners but at the same time AAP questions the Congress’ motive in paving the way for the BJP’s rise by playing spoilsport across the country.”
