from daijiworld's special correspondent
Exclusive pics from Rajtilak Naik
- Final tally: Congress 16, BJP 14, NCP 3, Save Goa Front 2, Maharashtravadi Gomantak Party 2, UGDP 1.
- Prominent winners: Pratapsingh Rane, Manohar Parrikar, Victoria Fernandes, Dayanand Narvekar, Digmbar Kamat, Churchill Alemao (from two constituencies, Francisco 'Michey' Pacheco, Vishwajeet Rane, Atanasio Monserrate
- Prominent losers: Luizinho Faleiro, Francisco Sardinha, Dr Wilfred D'Souza
- Two independents - Vishwajeet Rane and Anil Salgaoncar - hold the key to formation of government
Panaji, Jun 5: The Goan electorate threw a fractured mandate giving no absolute majority to any of the political combinations. The Congress became the single largest party with 16 seats followed by BJP 14 and NCP three.
In a major upset, three former chief ministers -- Luizinho Faleiro, Fransisco Sardinha and Dr Wilfred D'Souza -- bit dust. While D'Souza was deputy chief minister in Pratapsingh Rane-led government, Sardinha was the speaker of Goa legislative assembly.
Major politicians like chief minister Pratapsingh Rane, leader of opposition Manohar Parrikar, deputy speaker Victoria Fernandes and others including ministers Dayanand Narvekar, Digamber Kamat, sailed successfully.
Manohar Parrikar and Babush Monserrate
Pratapsingh Rane and Agnel Silveira
Babush Monserrate's wife Jennifer who lost and Dayanand Mandrekar
Manohar Parrikar with the media
Dr Wilfred D'Souza defeat from his traditional constituency Saligao was a major set back for NCP who managed to increase its tally from mere one seat in 2002 elections to three, this time. NCP's Fransisco Pacheco retained his seat while Jose Philip (Vasco) and Nilkant Halarnkar (Thivim) defeated BJP candidates in their respective constituencies.
Vishwajeet Rane, son of Goa chief minister Pratapsingh Rane, was one amongst the two independents who won this time. Rane won from Valpoi constituency while another indepedent candidate Anil Salgaoncar, a mine owner, won with a landslide margin of 6000-odd votes from Sanvordem constituency defeating sitting BJP legislator Vinay Tendulkar.
Babush Monserrate speaks to the media
Supporters celebrating their candidates' victory
Vishwajeet Rane, chief minister Rane's son, who won as an independent after failing to get a Congress ticket
Controversial former town and country planning minister Atanasio Monserratte, who had ditched congress at the last minute and fought on United Goans Democratic party (UGDP) ticket managed to retain his Taleigao constituency. His wife Jennifer, who contested on UGDP ticket from neighbouring St Cruz constituency could not give fight to Congress Victoria Fernandes.
Former congress MP Churchill alemao floated Save Goa Front sprang two major surprises in south Goa. While Churchill himself defeated Congress former chief minister Luizinho Faleiro, SGF candidate Alex Reginaldo Lowrence unseated Congress candidate and speaker Fransisco Sardinha.
Maharashtrawadi Gomantak party (MGP), Goa's oldest regional party, which was trying to revive itself with this election, managed to get only two seats. Ramkrishna Dhavlikar, a minister in Rane cabinet won from Madkai constituency while his brother Dipak, won from Priol.
With electorate throwing hung assembly, the fate of Goa government is largely dependent on regional parties and independents. The final tally is Congress (16), BJP (14), NCP (3), SGF (2), MGP (2), Ind (2) and UGDP (1).
While Congress-NCP combine makes up for 19 seats, they are banking on the support of two independents -- Vishwajeet Rane and Anil Salgaoncar.
The Congress party, which is meeting this evening, is likely to give formal letter to govenor asking them to be invited to form the next government.
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