PONDA: MGP-backed councillor Geetali Talavlikar was elected as chairperson of Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) on Tuesday.
She defeated BJP-backed Pradeep Naik by 8-7 vote margin. The post fell vacant following the resignation of Shantaram Colvekar.
Talavlikar assured to carry out new development works in Ponda.
Extending support to Geetali, councillor Venkatesh Naik said the ruling council will work to solve all problems faced by town residents. Naik was also a PMC chairperson in 2019.
After the Municipal elections in April 2018, Pradeep Naik became first chairperson in May 2018. One year later Venkatesh Naik succeeded him for one year from Aug 2019, followed by Vishwanath Davli who took over in Aug, 2020 and later Shantaram Colvenkar in May, 2021.
It may be recalled that MGP-backed ‘Rising Ponda’ panel won seven of the 15 seats, with BJP’s Ponda Nagrik Samiti claiming five whilst Congress backed Ponda Citizens Progressive Front winning three.
Viraj Sapre, a social worker and local of Ponda, said that for past four years Pondaites only saw instability at PMC and with changes in chairperson’s post there are no major changes expected in the development of Ponda town.
“Pondaites still face parking problems in the town, with the most difficult place to get in the Ponda market since street vendors have encroached the parking area, said Sapre.
The Ponda Market Complex was inaugurated eleven years back but still considered a white elephant with several shops not in operation. The stray cattle problem persists in Ponda. The Pondaites are fed up with stray dog bite cases. Some main roads are hot-mixed but internal roads are in bad shape and unmotorable, Sapre added.
