MARGAO: The counting of votes for the by-poll held on Monday saw the NCP MLA, Mr Francisco Pacheco backed candidate, Ms Frida Nazareth de Sa win handsomely from ward number 4 of Nuvem VP, signalling that his recent troubles have not shaken his hold on the erstwhile Loutolim or the new Nuvem constituency.

During the last ZP elections, his candidate was successful at the hustling too and Mr Pacheco had made significant inroads in what is termed as the bastion of Congress.

The win assumes significance as it could be an indication that the popularity of the flamboyant NCP MLA and former tourism minister is still on a high after he has told media that he would contest from the constituency that he was entitled to cast his vote. It has to be taken into account that in the new delimitation his strongholds of Betalbatim, Majorda-Utorda-Calata, previously in Benaulim are a part of the new Nuvem constituency.

In the other panchayat by-elections, Ms Luiza Paes was successful in defeating her closest rival Ms Winnie Dias in ward 2 of Curtorim panchayat and Mr Constancio Fernandes won the by-election from Chinchinnim.

Earlier, Mr Johnny D’ Costa was declared elected unopposed from Assolna. These seats were left vacant after Ms Veena Lawrence (Curtorim), Mr Anthony Rodrigues (Assolna), Ms Sabrina Dias (Chinchinin) and Mr Wilfred De Sa (Nuvem) moved on to the Zilla Panchayat level.