Independent candidate for the Sancoale Zilla Panchayat, Achut Naik, cast his vote on Sunday and expressed confidence in the electoral mood, citing a strong turnout at polling booths in Dabolim. Speaking to the media, Naik said the enthusiastic response indicated “silent voting” in his favour. He claimed that people had pledged unconditional support to him in recognition of his work as a dedicated grassroots BJP worker. Naik further stated that voters were keen to teach political parties a lesson by electing an honest candidate without any political godfather.
Meanwhile, Congress leader Olencios Simoes also cast his vote for the Zilla Panchayat elections at the polling booth located at St Thomas School, Chicalim. Addressing voters after voting, Simoes urged people to vote against the BJP government, alleging that it had “finished Goa” through widespread illegalities and unchecked land conversions. He claimed that hills, water bodies and even forest areas had not been spared.
The Zilla Panchayat elections witnessed active participation across constituencies, with leaders from different political backgrounds making strong appeals to voters on issues of governance, development and environmental protection.

