The voter turn out in the bye elections in 5 constituencies was an average of 68%, with rural to remote Poinguinim Constituency recording the highest polling figures of 74% plus. The Taleigao constituency possibly had the lowest turn out of less than 60%. The final figures will be available later tonight, but the variation will not be much.
The likely winners are the Congress candidates with a touch-and-go with Congress woman-turned-independent Nirmala in Cumbarjua and possibly an upset win for Congressman-turned -UGDP candidate Monte Cruz in Benaulim. Enjoy a free cruise if Nirmala wins and celebrate with Belo beer if monte comes through. Good chances for BJP's Tawadkar in Poinguinim, but Isidore is expected to win. However, psephology is like astrology and exit polls often excite...but do not deliver. The results will be out by 11 A.M. IST on Sunday, 06 June but I will be in Bhutan on a work assignment by then. By the time I am back many would have pulled their hair in dispair at losing the seat or not becoming the CM/Minister. I doubt Parrikar will be one of them as he is likely to be the Leader of the Opposition with cabinet rank and perks. It is the dumbos in his circus who will have to earn a living and travel by their own vehicles, albeit with Govt.supplied petrol/diesel. Besides Parrkar makes a better opposition leader then a leader. Now he does not even need to keep his flock together, because one third of them still cannot defect....and two[Mandrake and Arlek cars]of them may find it tough to get re-elected on a BJP ticket when the Congress is in the driver's seat in Delhi and Panaji/Porvorim. Arlekar may still get to taste his "Karma-cho bhog" or balchao courtesy Karl Vaz at the next hustings. He may also regret hustling the hustlers in a hurry as his guru did about the VCD. In the meanwhile, my neighbour Matthew Braganza is waiting for the ex-Law Minister to pay up for taking law in his own hands and joining Mandrekar in breaking his Mandarin Hotel in Mapusa. Sadanand[meaning" Always happy"] Shet Tanavde will no longer be happy and may be thinking why he has to go through this "tanhayi"...as ex-Chairman of GTDC he could possibly wish Ethel da Costa had planned a "Great Escape " for him instead of the 'Grape Escape' for his GTDC. Instead of a tour abroad, he would be happy to take a walk....away from it all. But the criminal case apart, Matthew has slapped a civil suit for damages to a tune of Rs.2.35 lakhs. There is alway a price to pay...when the party is over. ;-( Ms Megha Dhond, who a relative of BJP's Margao candidate Sharmad Raiturkar, may be having a similar chain[ or handcuff] of thought. Impersona non grata? ----- Original Message ----- From: Digital Goa To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 6:20 PM Subject: High voter turn in bye elections, Congress, BJP claim wins One arrested for bogus voting A case of bogus voting was reported in Margao this afternoon.According to reports reaching here one Ms Megha Dhond who a relative of BJP candidate Sharmad Raiturkar was arrested for trying to cast bogus vote in Margao. Congress confidant of winning all five seats. Congress observer Margaret Alva has expressed confidance of winning all five seats to which polling was held today. Speaking to reporters at the end of the polling some time back, Ms Alva said that the high voter turn will work in favour of Congress. Meanwhile, speaking to Digital Goa, Congress spokesperson Shantaram Naik said that Congress will form the government. He said, Ms Alva and GPCC President Ravi Naik today toured all five constituencies and it was found that the atmosphere is fully in favour of Congress.However, he said Congress will stake claim to form the government after the results are declared. He said the average percentage has almost touched 60 percent at 4 pm and may even cross 70 percent by the time voting ends at 5 pm.He said, the incidents of bogus voting are minimal this time due to insistance on voter ID cards. However, our Margao reporters informed that one Ms Megha Dhond who a relative of BJP candidate Sharmad Raiturkar was detained for trying to cast bogus vote. BJP will secure four seats: Mr Parrikar Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Manohar Parrikar mantained that BJP will secure four seats when asked about this reaction to the voting trend. He termed high voting turnout reported in all five constituencies is a \"good trend\" and added that high turn out means people have voted for change especially in Margao. ............................................................. Viva Goa. Miguel
