MARGAO: The BJP retained their Davorlim Zilla Panchayat seat, as Paresh Naik won the by-election with a margin of nearly 706 votes. Interestingly, AAP candidate Siddesh Bhagat gave a tough fight to the BJP cadre. The Congress party faced disappointment as their candidate struggled at the third position.
The Davorlim ZP constituency was vacant since Ulhas Tuenkar, who was a ZP member of this constituency, got elected as the MLA for Navelim in the Assembly elections.
It is pertinent to note that the BJP leadership was fully engaged in the campaigning at Davorlim, wherein top leaders of the party including Margao MLA Digambar Kamat, Ulhas Tuenkar, former minister Babu Ajgaonkar, besides others were seen seeking votes for their candidate.
Tuenkar, before being elected as MLA represented this constituency for two consecutive terms.
Paresh Naik polled 4,080 votes and Siddesh Bhagat of AAP secured the second position with 3,374 votes. Congress candidate Leoncio Raikar only managed to poll 1,089 votes.
The BJP cadre was seen at the counting centre, the South Goa District Collectorate building, celebrating the victory of their candidate. “This result has proved that the people have faith in the BJP,” said Tuenkar.
