Congress, BJP buoyant over voter turnout in Goa

Panaji, June 2 (UNI) The Congress and BJP appeared buoyant over the impressive voter turnout for the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly election despite heavy rains today.

Even though the final percentage of voter turnout was yet to be clear, it may exceed last Assembly election's turnout of 68.79 per cent.

Former Goa Chief Minister and BJP leader Manohar Parrikar told UNI that the voters had turned out with a vengeance to teach the Congress-NCP combine government a lesson.

He said the turnout was likely to cross 70 per cent.

Refusing to discuss the post-poll strategy, Mr Parrikar said ''The fate of all candidates is now sealed in the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and I will accept the verdict of the people whatever it may be.'' AICC General Secretary Margaret Alva also expressed satisfaction over the participation of voters in the election process and denied that the high voter turnout could be described as a vote against the incumbent Congress-NCP government.

''Goa is always known for good voter turnout. I was initially worried in the morning due to heavy rains,'' she added.

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) spokesman and Rajya Sabha member Shantaram Naik said he would not like to base Congress prospects on the percentage of votes.

''It is difficult to assess the prospects of political parties based on voter turnout in a small state like Goa,'' he said.

''Undoubtedly, I can say that we are coming to power and majority will be on our side. Even though we are confident of getting a majority, the NCP will be considered while forming the government because we are in alliance,'' he claimed.

Responding to a question on the Chief Ministerial candidate, Mr Naik said ''Congress MLAs will decide the Chief Minister, unlike Manohar Parrikar who himself claims to be the Chief Minister.

State BJP president and party MP Shripad Naik countered ''The party legislators will decide who will be the CM.'' UNI