cong turncoat Subhash thumps Dhavalikar by 76 votes to retain seat, thanks party workers; seeks mother’s blessings
the goan I network
MARGAO
After a day of fluctuating fortunes, former minister Subhash Shirodkar finally emerged trumps in the Shiroda bypoll after he successfully warded a spirited challenge from MGP Chief Deepak Dhavalikar by retaining the seat by a slender margin of 76 votes.
In a fiercely fought battle that narrowed down between the BJP and the MGP, the Congress was stranded away behind in the race. Congress leadership’s decision to nominate former BJP Minister Mahadev Naik back fired when Mahadev managed to poll hardly 2402 votes.
It was a day of fluctuating fortunes at the counting hall when votes of the Shiroda bypoll were taken up for counting. Like the fierce battle on the ground during the fortnight long campaign, the counting hall was literally on the edge with the fortunes fluctuating almost every round. Finally, Subhash romped home with a slender margin of 76 votes, bringing a sigh of relief to the BJP supporters. The victory triggered jubilation outside the counting hall, with BJP flags flying high and slogans rent the air.
Party leaders rushed to the counting centre with deputy chief minister Babu Ajgaonkar being the first leader to descend at the centre and give credit to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for the party’ victory in Shiroda. Art and Culture Minister Govind Gawde also made his presence felt at the multipurpose counting centre after news spread of Shirodkar’s victory. A sworn enemy of the Dhavalikar brothers, Gawde thundered outside the counting centre that a victory finally matters and not the margin of victory, saying the person who wins is a king, irrespective of the margin of victory.
