The BJP lost its hold over the Corporation of City of Panaji (CCP) as it failed to get a majority in the civic body elections, the results of which were declared on Tuesday. The CCP, which covers Goa’s capital city of Panaji, was ruled by the BJP-led council before the election was held on March 6. The BJP candidates were defeated by nominees fielded by expelled Congress legislator Atanasio Monserrate, who got a clear majority in the 30-ward civic body. Monserrate’s candidates won 17 wards while the BJP won 13 wards. The candidates set up by the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee failed to bag a single seat. [related-post] Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said the results were “not a setback” for the BJP. “We maintained our numbers. We had 13 corporators in the earlier council and we have retained it.” Meanwhile, Monserrate said the “people of Panaji have elected a smart council”. “The voters have also rejected the Congress, which was roped in by the BJP only to hamper prospects of my candidates,” he added.
