Mixed bag of winners in Ponda; Shirodkar claims his supporters win

SANTOSH NAIK

PONDA: In Ponda Taluka most candidates backed by Congress, BJP and MGP and Independent members were elected in Shiroda, Marcaim, Priol, Ponda respectively.

In Shiroda, MLA Subash Shirodkar claimed that out of four panchayats majority of those elected are his supporters. He said people are fed up with BJP and stand behind Congress. He said in Bethora, of 11 seats 7 members elected are his supporters and in Borim out of 11 seats eight elected are his supporters. Also in Panchawadi out of 7 seats five panchas elected are his supporters.

In Marcaim out of all six most of the supporters elected are of Sudin Dhavalikar. Sudin could not be contacted as he was not reachable on phone. However, his supporters said most of panels in all six panchayats majority of members and panels are Sudin’s supporters.

In Kavlem his supporter and former Sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar got re-elected while others who won from Talvalim, Kundaim, Durbhat Agapur and Bandora are reportedly Sudin’s supporters.

In Priol represented by Independent Candidate Govind Gaude, who is in BJP Government as Art and Culture Minister, said he did not take personal intervention in the pollsbut most of his supporters are elected in the seven panchayats.

Election of Bethki Khandola is stayed by the Court on reservation issue.