The results for the Ponda Municipal Council were declared today. The panel supported by the MGP won in seven wards, just falling short by one to form the Council. The MGP-backed panel had won five in the last civic polls, but increased their tally by two this time around.
The BJP won in only five wards, losing in four in the elections held on April 29, while Congress managed to increase their tally from one to three.
Ten new faces were elected to the council this time with only five former councillors retaining their seats.
Seventy-four candidates had contested the elections with 44 belonging to three political panels MGP, BJP and Congress while 30 had contested as Independents None of the independents could win with all the candidates backed by the three political parties sharing the seats.
Among the 74 candidates, 42 were male out of whom 10 were elected. Of the 32 women contesting, only five emerged winners. Out of total votes polled, 111 votes polled were rejected. Former BJP Councillor Irvin Soares lost by 9 votes.
Congress won in three wards with Ritesh Naik, son of Ponda MLA Ravi Naik, winning from Ward 11.
The other two Congress candidates who became councillors are William Aguiar and Anand Naik.
Congress’ former Councillor Lalan Naik was defeated by former Councillor Venktesh Naik who was representing Ward 4 last time but had contested from Ward 5 this time because his ward was reserved for ladies. Congress lost its two seats with a slight margin from Ward 15 wherein Kishore Naik lost by 3 votes.
BJP, which was ruling the Council with 9 councillors, won only 5 this time losing their hold on PMC.
MGP, which was having five councillors, won in seven wards. MGP candidate and former councillor Geetali Talavlikar defeated Congress candidate and former chairperson Kishore Naik by 3 votes.
The five old faces elected included Deputy Chairperson Shantaram Colvekar (BJP) second time elected, Vishwanath Dalvi (BJP) second time, Venktesh Naik elected third time for (BJP), Pradeep Naik second time (MGP) and Geetali Talavlikar second term (MGP). Two former councillors managed to get elected their wives.
The 10 new faces elected are Ritesh Naik (Congress), Archana Dangui (BJP), Virendra Dhavalikar (MGP), Yatish Savkar (MGP), Chandrakala Naik (BJP), William Aguiar (Congress), Jaya Sawant (MGP), Seema Fernandes (MGP), Ameena Naik (MGP) and Anand Naik (Congress).
