Deve Gowda fails to make an impact in Goa

Panaji, June 5 (UNI) Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, who invited criticism for demanding second language status to Kannada in Goa during his election campaign, failed to make an impact with his maiden entry into Goa politics.

His party JD(S) contested 12 seats. Except Subhash Narvekar in Mapusa who polled 3,258 votes and Jose Luis Carios Almeida in Vasco with 3,059 votes, all other candidates fared poorly.

Mr Narvekar is the brother of senior Congressman and Health Minister Dayanand Narvekar. The port town of Vasco-da-gama has a sizeable population of migrants including Kannadigas.

As per information available, in Ponda the party candidate polled 329 votes, 173 in Curchorem, 122 in Pernem, 105 in Tivim, 103 in Aldona, 108 in Priol, 918 in Mormugao, 342 in Cortalim.

Shiv Sena, which has been contesting Goa elections for several years also did not fare better. In Pernem,the party polled 249 votes, Tivim (188), Priol (169), Vasco (73), Savordem (149).

Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) which ruled Goa after liberation fared comparatively better. In Mandrem, the party polled 2,542 votes, Pernem 2,873 votes, Dargarlim 3,465 votes. But in Siolim it polled 223 votes, Saligao 117, Aldona 97, Valpoi 371, Shiroda 701 and Mormugao 449.

The CPI candidate in Calangute polled only 243 votes, in Pale (291), Priol (324). CPI(M) candidate polled 275 votes in Savordem.

Shiv Sena had contested seven seats and MGP 26, out of which it won two seats.

Another regional outfit -- United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) -- which won only one seat contested in 11 constituencies. But, its performance except that of winner Babush Monserate from Taleigao was not better than its former rival MGP. In Mandrem, its candidate polled only 458 votes. In Calangute, it polled 5,558 votes, Cortalim (7850) and lost the seat to Congress, Vasco (626), Fartoda (804), Navelim (497), Cuncolim (3,408) as compared to 217 votes polled by the party candidate in 2002, Canacona (245).

UNI