BJP wins by-elections in both Panjim & Valpoi constituencies

BJP has won the by-elections to both Panjim and Valpoi constituencies. In Panjim Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar defeated Congresses Girish Chodankar by a margin of 4803 votes and Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane retained the Valpoi constituency by a margin of more than 10 thousand votes against Congresses Roy Naik. From the begining both Parrikar and Rane were leading in their counts and the victory was ascertained by the end of round two counting. BJP supporters gathered outside the Old GMC Complex in Panjim where the counting process was carried out. While, Parrikar retained the party’s ground support, Rane received a land slide victory with the tremendous support from the minorities in Valpoi. Monday’s by-election win takes the tally of the BJP to 14 in the Goa Legislative Assembly, after Congresses 16, followed by MGP and Goa Forward Party with three each and NCP’s lone legislator and three independents. The coalition government led by Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar stands strong with 23 legislators.