MARGAO: Proclaiming that people power triumphed over money power, INDIA bloc candidate Capt Viriato Fernandes, soon after winning the South Goa Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday, emphasised that it is not just his personal triumph, but a victory for the people of Goa.
With Viriato’s victory, Congress retained its South Goa seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Capt Viriato defeated BJP’s Pallavi Dempo of by a margin of 13,535 votes. Capt Viriato also foiled BJP’s attempt to wrest the seat. He polled 2,17,836 votes as against 2,04,301 votes polled by by Pallavi.
After confirming his victory, Capt Viriato wasted no time in reaching the counting centre at Margao. Upon his arrival, he was greeted by a large number of jubilant Congress workers, alongside leaders from alliance partners, who were already immersed in celebrating his triumph.
Speaking to reporters, he asserted that his victory signified the defeat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, while referring to their active campaigning in Goa.
“Cortalim constituency gave a big lead to me despite the public meeting of Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.
He said that he will take this battle forward and he will remain in debt to every Goan.
“This victory is for the people. This victory of all those communities including farmers, unemployed youth, taxi owners, etc, who are struggling to earn their livelihood, besides those facing injustice from this BJP government,” said Capt Viriato.
He said that this victory of his is to stop the corruption going on in the regime of the BJP government.