TEAM HERALD
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BORIM: The by-election to Ward 9 of Curti-Khandepar Panchayat, scheduled on June 16, has brought to the fore a possible rift within the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), as MLA Lavoo Mamledar and Councillor Venkatesh Naik have extended their support to two different candidates.
Ward 9 has been vacant since the death of Panch Kamlakant Parab, who was the principal at Ameya Higher Secondary School at Curti.
Two of the five candidates enjoy the backing of councillors of Ponda Municipal Council. Councillors close to MLA Lavoo Mamledar have supported Sarita Parab, wife of late Kamlakant Parab, while Councillor Venkatesh Naik, who is also from the MG group, has extended his support to his friend, Sudhir Raut, who is also contesting.
“Sudhir Raut has been working for the society over the last many years and hence I decided to extend my support to him, despite the fact that there is a candidate fielded by the MGP,” Venkatesh Naik told Herald.
It may be recalled that MLA Lavoo Mamledar was present when Sarita Parab filed her nomination and had told media that he has extended his support to her.
When the returning officer Amul Gaonkar was contacted, he informed that the election process will start at 8 am and will continue till 5 pm.
As many as 1,254 voters will decide the fate of five candidates in the fray.
