It's 1-1 in Goa as BJP fails southern test

PANAJI: Weighed down by distrust and disenchantment, BJP failed to lift itself despite PM Modi's two rallies in three months, as it allowed Congress to defend its South Goa seat.

The verdict also put paid to BJP's efforts to send Pallavi Dempo, one of the richest candidates, as the party's first woman Lok Sabha member from Goa. Pallavi lost to Congress' Capt Viriato Fernandes by a margin of 13,535 votes.

A missive from the archbishop of Goa and Daman proved to be one of the turning points, as Salcete taluka overwhelmingly voted against BJP. The anti-BJP sentiment among the ST community also contributed to the loss.

The only solace for BJP was that it retained its North Goa citadel, with Union minister Shripad Naik securing the seat for a historic sixth term, with a record margin of 1.2 lakh votes against former Union minister Ramakant Khalap of Congress. BJP state president Sadanand Shet Tanavade blamed the South Goa loss on consolidation of votes on religious lines.