High turnout of women in Goa polls

Panaji, June 2 (UNI) Women turned up in large numbers to cast their vote in the elections to the 40-member Goa Legislative Assembly.

As many as 12 women of different parties, besides independents are in the fray out of a total of 202 candidates.

The Congress has fielded only women incumbent 67-year-old Victoria Fernandes as against the young UGDP nominee Jennifer, wife of former minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate in Santa Cruz.

BJP, on the other hand, fielded two new faces - Kunda Chodankar and Anjali - in Aldona and Calangute respectively even as it extended unqualified support to Congress rebel Nirmala Sawant in Cumbarjua against Transport Minister Pandurag Madkaikar.

Another Congress rebel and former minister Sageeta Parab is contesting from Mandrem while JD(S) leader Mannamma Bhidari is fighting from the male bastion Cortalim.

A team of UNI reporters, who visited different polling stations, noticed women turning out in more numbers than men, particularly in the constituencies where women were in the fray and in rural areas including Ponda and Pernem.

Women turned up in large numbers braving the heavy downpour in Taleigao, which continues to be a male citadel for long.

UNI