Team Herald
MANDREM: Upset with Dayanand Sopte’s move of joining BJP, several locals visit the office of businessman and social worker, Jeet Arolkar request him to contest elections from Mandrem. A panch member of Arambol panchayat, Pravin pointed out that they voted for Sopte but he has betrayed their trust.
“This person should not be given a ticket again nor entertained by the locals. We are angry with him and hence have come to meet Jeet Arolkar at his office requesting him to contest elections from Mandrem. Besides his family no one knew this decision of his not even the karyakatas,” told the panch member.
A local said Jeet Arolkar is a helpful person who is just a call away and does a lot of work in Mandrem despite not being in any party. While, Sopte is of no use and does not do any of their work. “We want him to contest as an independent candidate and we are with him. We are fed up of BJP and Congress and hence would like him to contest the upcoming elections. In the name of development Sopte has moved to BJP but Jeet Arolkar without being in any party has done a lot of works in Mandrem,” he said.
Another local also voiced out that Jeet works selflessly for the people of Mandrem and hence he is their only option right now. He has good leadership qualities and is a dynamic person. If there is a problem he will take an opinion from the people and then act accordingly. While other politicians are not bothered about what the locals want. Jeet Arolkar said that since the people have decided that he should contest and voters have come to him thinking he is capable he will go ahead and do so.
Over the last two days locals have been visiting him asking him to contest the upcoming elections. “After seeing so many people come to meet me and seeing their expectation I do not want to hurt them. Everyone has their personal views and the decision taken by Sopte to join BJP is his choice. Maybe out of frustration he has taken this decision but I feel his work was getting done as he had taken several press conferences telling about development works carried. He also stated that works worth Rs. 68 crores had been carried out,” told Arolkar. “The people have decided that I should contest and now let them decided whether I should join some party or independent. Whatever the people want will be done.
I will keep a general meeting where all voters from Mandrem will come and let them unanimously decide on what has to be done,” he added.
