Four women to vie for ward 8 of Mapusa council
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
PORVORIM, OCT 27
Ward 8 of Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) is likely to witness a stiff contest between Ilma Mathew Braganza and Maria Nelson Carvalho.
The ward has been reserved for women and there are four women candidates in the fray, Aswati Assotikar, Maria Nelson Carvalho, Samira Sanjiv Swar and Ilma Mathew Braganza.
Since sitting Councillor Ryan Braganza could not re-contest the election, as this ward has been reserved for women, his mother, Ilma, is contesting the election.
Ryan Braganza has done a lot of developmental work in his ward during the course of last five years and is popular in Mapusa. Besides, Ilma has been supported by Bharatiya Janata Party and BJP supporters, including Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza, are actively seen canvassing for her. Hence, Ilma has an edge over her rival candidates.
Of the remaining three candidates, Maria Nelson Carvalho was the former vice chairperson of MMC and is a known figure in the ward. Carvalho was defeated by Ryan Braganza by a margin of about 80 votes in the municipal election held in 2005.
She has been supported by Mapusa Nagrik Samiti and is banking on the work done by her in the past, when she was the vice chairperson and is confident of victory.
Aswati Assotikar is the new entrant and has been fielded by Mapusa Nagrikancho Ekvott.
Speaking to Herald, she said Ward 8 has four decades old water pipeline, which is corroded, insufficient in size for providing adequate water supply to 1,342 voters and others in the ward.
“The new pipeline has still not being laid despite having been approved by PWD about six years ago,” said Assotikar.
“The power supply system is problematic with chronic short circuits and power tripping occurring almost daily, especially during monsoons and which according to the electricity department can be solved through the installation of a fused-based power supply system,” she said.
“If elected to power, I am going to concentrate on these vital issues,” assured Assotikar.
According to the residents of the ward, the real fight will be between Ilma Braganza and Maria Nelson Carvalho.
“However, since Ilma Braganza has the full support of BJP and sitting Councillor Ryan has contributed a lot for the development of the ward, Ilma is likely to win the election,” opined the residents.
