40 mlas cast their vote in Goa in presidential poll

Panaji, July 19 (UNI) All the 40 members of the Goa Legislative Assembly today exercised their franchise in the Presidential poll, held at the Porvorim Assembly Complex.

The two MPs, Shantaram Naik (Rajya Sabha) and Shripad Naik (LS-North Goa), however, cast their votes in the Parliament House in New Delhi.

Each legislator in Goa carries a vote strength of 20 and the MP 708.

Congress has a strength of 16, supported by NCP-3 and MGP and Independents two each. The BJP on the other hand has 14 followed by SGF 2 and UGDP one. The SGF and UGDP were supporting the Congress-led coalition government on the ''issue basis''.

The South Goa seat for Parliament fell vacant following rebel Congress member Churchil Alemao's resignation to contest in the June 2 Assembly polls in Goa.

The first to vote was home minister Ravi S.Naik. All others cast their vote in the afternoon when the House met to discuss the budget for the fourth day today.

The ballot box was later sealed for airdashing it to New Delhi tomorrow.

UNI