Goa Assembly Polls: BJP Rebels Laxmikant Parsekar And Utpal Parrikar Lead In Counting Of Postal Ballots

Panaji, Mar 10 (PTI) Two prominent BJP rebels – Laxmikant Parsekar and Utpal Parrikar – were leading against their rivals in the counting of postal ballots in Goa on Thursday, an official said.

Former chief minister Parsekar contested the Assembly election, held on February 14, from Mandrem Assembly seat as an Independent candidate, while Utpal Parrikar, the son of former CM Manohar Parrikar, contested from Panaji seat against BJP candidate Atanasio Monserratte.

In the counting of postal ballots before the opening of EVMs, both Parrikar and Parsekar were ahead of their rivals, the official said.

The counting is underway since 8 am at a centre each in Panaji and Margao.

Parsekar on Wednesday said he was confident of winning the election, but refused to say anything about whether he would support the BJP.

He contested the election as an independent after the BJP denied him ticket and fielded sitting MLA Dayanand Sopte instead from Mandrem.

(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)