Panaji Municipal Election Results: BJP-Backed Babush Panel Secures Dominant Victory
On Friday morning, outside the counting center in Panaji, a palpable tension filled the air as supporters of two rival political panels gathered with nervous anticipation. Clusters of BJP workers backing the Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate panel and supporters of Utpal Parrikar's 'Ami Panjekar' panel stood in small groups, some clutching marigold garlands while others whispered calculations of leads and margins. Despite the scorching heat, none wavered in their resolve.
Medical Emergencies Briefly Disrupt Proceedings
The morning quickly turned challenging when, at approximately 8:25 AM, a medical emergency briefly disrupted the proceedings. A woman candidate, Sheetal Naik, fainted inside the counting center. Minutes later, another individual collapsed at the same spot. Officials attributed these incidents to people arriving without breakfast amid the rising temperatures, highlighting the physical demands of election day.
Final Results and Celebrations
As the final numbers flashed across the projector screen, Rohit Monserrate appeared confident in his win and vowed to return as mayor for another term. By around 12:30 PM, the atmosphere outside the stadium shifted dramatically as emerging victories triggered celebrations. The Babush panel had secured seats in 22 wards, a dominant performance.
Skipping the ongoing assembly session at Porvorim to join the celebrations even before results from the remaining wards were officially declared, Babush joined his supporters. Garlands were exchanged, and victory signs flashed through the crowd. In a notable moment, former mayor Uday Madkaikar and Babush, once rivals, embraced after Madkaikar won from his ward, showcasing their alliance for this election.
Women Candidates Shine in Victory
Of the 30 winning candidates, 13 women emerged victorious. Among them was BJP-backed candidate Yutika Zambaulikar, who secured victory in Ward 1, an ST (woman) seat. At just 24 years of age, she became the youngest member of the new corporation.
"I intend to take up women-centric issues so that I can serve as inspiration for many young girls from marginalized communities to join politics," Zambaulikar stated, highlighting her commitment to representation and empowerment.
Contrasting Reactions from Rival Panels
In contrast to the louder celebrations of the BJP-backed panel, members of the Ami Panjekar panel marked their victories more quietly. A dejected Ami Panjekar representative, Valmiki Naik, attributed the panel's loss to money power. Notably, Utpal Parrikar, son of former defense minister Manohar Parrikar, was not in sight during the proceedings, adding to the subdued atmosphere among his supporters.
The election results underscore a significant shift in Panaji's political landscape, with the BJP-backed Babush panel establishing a stronghold. The day's events, from medical emergencies to jubilant celebrations, painted a vivid picture of democracy in action, marked by both challenges and triumphs.
