Ashok to lead BJP-backed panel for CCP polls
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, FEB 5: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-supported panel was unveiled today which will contest the forthcoming Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) elections under the leadership of Ashok Naik, who is projected as a Mayor candidate.
Leader of Opposition and Panjim legislator Manohar Parrikar announced the candidates for 25 out of 30 wards while rest names would be finalised and disclosed on Tuesday. The list does not include names for Ward Nos 18, 20, 21, 26 and 30.
The panel ‘Panaji First – Council for Clean Governance’ is full of surprises with hardly three faces repeated.
Parrikar claimed that few corporators opted out while reservations of certain wards made them to have fresh faces.
Addressing a convention of BJP workers at Gomant Maratha hall in Panjim, Parrikar said that the candidates are selected after extensive consultation process. He said that the consultation is on in five wards where the candidates would be announced on Tuesday.
Rupesh Halarnkar, Vaidehi Naik and Diksha Mayenkar are the repeat faces in the panel. Vaidehi Naik, who got elected from ward number 12 last time, will be locking horns with the male candidates as her ward was not reserved.
“When we sat for the consultation in ward number 12, everyone suggested Vaidehi’s name,” Parrikar said while introducing her during the convention.
Former Cortalim legislator Matanhy Saldanha, who supported then Parrikar-led government, has also come in support of BJP-led panel this time. Saldanha was personally present for the convention and was seated amongst the candidates and BJP leaders on the dais.
Parrikar said that Ashok Naik has been projected as Mayor candidate because he had provided clean and efficient governance during his last tenure.
Addressing the gathering, Naik said that Panjim deserves better and residents of this place know it.
“We have an unyielding desire to improve the lives of the average Panjim resident, no matter how difficult the fight may be,” Ashok Naik said adding that ‘clean governance, transparency at all levels; honesty will be our hall marks.
He said that like minded, honest citizens have come together to offer a fresh chance to partner with every Panjim resident. “We are not governed by ulterior sense of accomplishment or an outside agency to further own goals,” Naik said.
