Panaji: The Bharatiya Janata Party-led panel swept the elections for the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), defeating its rival panel led by Utpal Parrikar.
The panel led by BJP Minister Atanasio Monserratte won 27 out of the 30 seats, while the panel floated by Utpal Parrikar, son of former Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, secured only three seats.
The elections were held on March 13, while the counting took place on Friday.
Counting began at 8 am on Friday at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium in St Cruz near Panaji and concluded around 2 pm.
Among the prominent candidates, CCP Mayor Rohit Monserratte won on the BJP panel, while hospitality entrepreneur and President of the Travel and Tours Association of Goa Jack Sukhija won on the panel led by Utpal Parrikar.
Parrikar had garnered support from Congress, AAP, and independent candidates to form the panel against the BJP.
Reacting to the victory, Monserratte said he had expected to win all 30 seats in the polls, considering the development undertaken in the capital city. He added that the BJP-led panel will continue working for the people.
In a statement released after the defeat, Utpal Parrikar said that while the results were not what they had hoped for, the journey was never only about winning seats. He said it was about bringing citizens together to discuss the future of Panaji, including better planning, transparency, and accountable governance that truly puts people first.
Parrikar added that his contribution to Panaji will not end with this election and that they will continue to engage with citizens, raise issues that matter, and work constructively to address the challenges faced by the city.
