PONDA: It appears that the Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) is likely to witness “party politics” with both the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) eyeing the chairperson’s post, which has fallen vacant following the resignation of Venktesh Naik on August 11.
The Congress has no presence in the Council following its three members including Ritesh Naik and two others joining the BJP.
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Earlier, in 15-member council there were seven MGP-backed councillors. But, now with three councillors including Ritesh Naik joining the BJP, the saffron brigade which earlier had five councillors in the council now has eight.
According to sources, it is learnt that Director of Municipal Administration has accepted his resignation and in next few days the election to the chairperson’s post will be declared.
Addressing media persons, BJP’s Ponda block president Shantaram Colvekar claimed that there are eight BJP-backed councillors in PMC and therefore a party-backed councillor is sure to become the next chairperson.
He said BJP has shortlisted three names for the chairperson’s post which include Ritesh Naik, Shantaram Colvekar and Vishwanth Dalvi who currently holds deputy chairperson’s post.
According to BJP sources, Vishwanth Dalvi is likely to be made the next chairperson and Ritesh will hold the post after one year.
Meanwhile, MGP sources said they are fully prepared to contest election for chairperson’s post.
The MGP has shortlisted Geetali Naik and Yatish Sawkar for the top post. The party has the backing of its leader former PWD Minister and Marcaim MLA Sudin Dhavalikar.
According to MGP sources, the party is sure to win the election as some BJP-backed councillors are unhappy and are going to support MGP candidate. MGP also wants to strengthen its base in Ponda.
It may be recalled that two years ago there was understanding among all the councillors to support candidate from any party as the PMC election was not contested on party lines. During the election MGP-backed councillor Pradeep Naik was unanimously elected as chairperson and Vishwanth Dalvi of BJP was elected his deputy who still holds the post.
A year later MGP-backed Pradeep was ousted in a no confidence motion and BJP-backed councillor Venktesh Naik was elected as the chairperson by a majority of 12 votes from all parties. Naik recently vacated the post paving the way for fresh elections.
