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Goa Panchayat polls: Sitting MLAs favoured over parties

In most constituencies, panels supported by sitting MLAs won the elections

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Counting of 186 panchayat bodies in Goa took place on Tuesday and largely favoured sitting MLAs. In most of the constituencies, panels supported by the sitting MLA or his supporters won the election.

Not only the ruling BJP, but Congress MLAs too were successful in maintaining their hold in the constituencies. Although the elections were not fought on party lines, legislators were supporting specific individuals or panels in their constituency. “People prefer to elect a panchayat favoured by a MLA as it helps them to get their work done from the government. It helps in better coordination,” BJP state spokesperson Subhash Faldesai reacted after the results.

However, Congress criticised the BJP for interfering in the elections that are not fought on party lines. “This behaviour of the BJP is against the spirit of local self governing bodies. Although people elected candidates close to our MLAs, they did not indulge in campaigning. BJP tried to manipulate wards through reservation and delimitation and then their MLAs used their might to control panchayats,” AICC secretary Girish Chodankar said.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar held a special meeting session with elected panch members at his official residence in Panaji. “Now the chief minister wants to influence elected members and pull them towards the BJP. This is anti-panchayat,” Chodankar said.

BJP, however, defended the CM. “What is wrong if CM meets them? They are elected by the people. Now, we all need to work for the betterment of our wards. It is better to come together and work as one. This is in no way influencing,” Faldesai said while replying to the allegations made by the Congress.

Results of 11 panchayats have been kept on hold as 16 wards from these panchayats will go for election on July 1. Results will be declared on July 2.

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