PONDA: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) suffered a setback in the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) on Thursday as Jaya Sawant backed by the Goa Forward Party (GFP) and Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) defeated Archana Dangui supported by the saffron party by 9-6 vote margin in the elections to the vice-chairperson’s post.
The vice-chairperson’s post fell vacant following the resignation of Virendra Dhavalikar from the BJP-backed group.
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The voting was held via ballot paper by Presiding Officer Pradip Naik.
Jaya thanked MGP and GFP councillors for supporting her and added that she is committed towards the development works planned for Ponda by the ruling council.
Ponda BJP Block President and Councillor Vishwanath Dalvi said, “This result will not impact the BJP’s prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections. Our candidate is sure to win. The PMC election is not fought on party lines as anyone can become chairperson/vice-chairperson as councillors share friendly relations with each other.”
MGP leader Ketan Bhatikar thanked Goa Forward Party supported councillors Venktesh Naik and Chandrakala Naik for electing MGP-backed councillor as vice-chairperson.
He said in future more councillors will support the MGP.
GFP leader Venktesh Naik said councillors of like-minded parties are committed to the development of Ponda.
Currently, the ruling council is working under PMC Chairperson Shantaram Colvekar, who is backed by MGP and GFP.
