PONDA/SANKHALI: A total of 74 candidates will contest the Ponda and Sankhali municipal council elections fixed on May 5. Of these 43 candidates are in fray for the Ponda Municipal Council and 31 candidates are contesting to be elected to the Sankhali Municipal Council.
On the last day of withdrawal of nominations for the election to the 15-member Ponda Municipal Council, two BJP-backed candidates were elected unopposed, and seven candidates withdrew their nominations. In Sankhali, 23 candidates withdrew their nominations, and two were elected unopposed.
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The BJP-backed candidates Vishwanath Dalvi and Vidya Punalekar were elected unopposed from Ward 7 and Ward 13 respectively, as their rivals withdrew their nominations. Vishwanath Dalvi enjoyed his third consecutive victory, making it a hat-trick. Vidhya was declared elected unopposed after her opponent Darshana Naik withdrew from the fray at the last minute.
Similarly, in Sankhali former sarpanch of erstwhile Sankhali-Harvalem panchayat Pravin Blagaan (ward V) and Riyas Shaikh (ward VIII) were declared elected unopposed. Riyas later swore allegiance to the BJP.
In Ponda, the highest five candidates each are in ward I and IV, while straight fights will be seen in three wards, II, IX and XV. Also triangular battle is on cards in five wards — V, VIII, X, XI and XIV and three wards – III, VI and XII will have quadrangular fight.
In Sankhali, highest five candidates are in fray in ward II while there will be straight fight in four wards namely III, IX, X and XI and triangular battle in two wards i.e. IV and XII. Three wards I, VI and VII will witness a quadrangular battle.
