PORVORIM, OCT 4
The seats reservation policy for the municipal council elections has shown the door to some sitting councillors, while it has provided relief to few others.
With Monday being the first day of filing nominations for the elections, the election campaign has begun and aspiring candidates are out to woo the voters.
Mapusa Nagrickancho Ekvott (MNE) has already released its election manifesto, while others are busy in door-to-door propaganda.
The sitting councillors, who are unable to re-contest the election due to reservation of seats, have decided to field their spouses in their respective wards.
Former MMC chairperson Sneha Bhobe is unable to contest the election, as her Ward 11 has been reserved for ST candidate. She stated there are no people of ST community in her ward and yet the government has reserved the ward for ST.
“It is not known on what basis seat reservation policy has been framed by the government. During the last election, this ward was reserved for women. Hence there was no need to reserve this ward once again. This has been done with malafide intention,” claimed Bhobe.
Another sitting councillor who has been disillusioned is Vinod Phadke, as his Ward 13 has been reserved for OBC. In fact, Padke had started his campaign and was sure to get re-elected from his ward, but was utterly disappointed when reservation of seats was announced.
The seat reservation policy however brought cheers to Ashish Shirodkar and Subhash Narvekar.
The path is clear for both of them to re-contest the election from their Wards 9 and 2 respectively. Shirodkar and Narvekar had started campaigning much before the announcement of reservation of seats. They are confident of retaining their respective seats.
MMC Chairperson Roopa Bhakta will face a stiff fight if she decides to re-contest the election from her Ward 6. Businessman Ryan Braganza, who is a sitting councillor of Ward 8, has decided to contest from Ward 6, as his ward is reserved for women.
Braganza expressed confidence that he will win the election without much difficulty.
Mapusa Merchant Association President Yeshwant Gaundalkar has decided to field his wife Rupali in Ward 8.
As Ward 1 is reserved for OBC women, sitting Councillor Anand Bhaidkar will not be able to re-contest. He has decided to field his wife from this ward.
As Ward 3 has now come under General category and it is learnt that sitting Councillor Carrel Carrasco will not re-contest, instead her husband Michael will file his nomination from this ward.
Ward 12 has been reserved for women and hence sitting Councillor Milind Anvekar will not be able to re-contest the election. He has decided to field his wife from this ward.
