Air of uncertainty, suspense grips Congress, BJP camps
BY HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, OCT 31 - An air of uncertainty and suspense gripped the Congress and BJP camps as South Goa Lok Sabha constituency recorded an unexpectedly low turn out of voters in Wednesdays bye-polls. The Congress camp, however, sounded optimistic of a clear-cut victory for its candidate Francisco Sardinha over the BJP rival, Dr Wilfred Mesquita. The record low turn out - around 35.56 per cent - is, however, expected to have a bearing on the margin of victory, with leaders from both the camps admitting that the turn out would certainly affect the victory margin. Initially, the BJP and anti-Congress forces appeared jubilant after news trickled in of a poor turn out, especially in Congress stronghold of Salcete, with party leaders saying the turn out would benefit the BJP candidate. But, the jubilations appeared short-lived as it became known later in the day that almost all the constituencies were hit by a poor turnout. A glance of the poll percentage shows that the Congress would again bank on Salcete to secure a comfortable win for Francisco Sardinha. Of the total 1.99 lakh votes cast today, around 73,585 votes came from the eight constituencies of Salcete despite the low turn out. Congress leaders are optimistic that Salcete, as usual, would give a sizeable lead to its candidate against the BJP rival. Again, the Congress is hoping for a better show from the party in Quepem, parts of Ponda and Mormugao taluka, besides Sanguem and Canacona. If one goes by BJPs reaction to the polling, it only expects surprises in Navelim and Curtorim and hopes to come close to the Congress in Margao and Fatorda. Even assuming the BJP party put up a good show in Salcete in a worst scenario, Congress leaders are confident the party would definitely secure an unassailable lead over the BJP in the taluka. The BJP, however, expects to put up a good show in the talukas of Ponda, Sanguem and Mormugao, besides Canacona. But, again, Congress leaders say - unlike Salcete for the BJP - the Congress has its presence in not only Ponda and Mormugao, but is hoping for the positive votes in Sanguem and Canacona and not to mention Quepem taluka, where the party is presently representing Quepem and Curchorem in the Legislative Assembly. Admits Francisco Sardinha: The poll percentage would only bring down my margin of victory, but certainly the Congress would win the bye-poll. His rival, Dr Mesquita, however, is not willing to concede anything and is confident of a win. The traditional BJP areas would stand by the saffron party, he said and was confident that Salcete would spring a surprise that would ensure Congress defeat. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=3663&cid=26 Sanny de Quepem <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com
