Former Mayor Surendra Furtado lost Ward IX to BJP-backed Kabir Makhija. Commenting on his defeat, Furtado said, "The people of Panaji have decided that I should not be elected. I respect their verdict and the fate they have chosen for us."
Speaking after the results, Monserrate took a subtle dig at his rivals, saying, "A candidate should always roam on earth and not fly. We are at the mercy of the people; it is they who elect us. If we try to act too smart, people show how smart they are." While the three opposition wins were a minor setback, he added that the clear majority gives the council a strong mandate to move ahead and continue development initiatives across the city.
