Team Herald
PONDA: Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) Chairperson Venktesh Naik on Tuesday resigned from the post of chairperson, giving way for MGP and BJP to stake claim for the post.
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Speaking to Herald Naik informed that he resigned voluntarily and submitted his resignation letter to Directorate of Municipal Administration.
He said, “I had become chairperson last year after the support of majority of the councillors from all political parties.” However, if all these councillors want Naik to continue as chairperson and support him again then he has seven days time in hand to withdraw his resignation.
After this political development at PMC, now the Ponda locals are curious about the next political move going to take place, especially on the backdrop of Ritesh Naik, son of Ponda MLA Ravi Naik, joining the BJP recently. There are rumours making rounds that the BJP is planning to make him the next chairperson and are also likely to offer BJP ticket for next Assembly election. Hence, all eyes are set on who would be the next chairperson.
In the 15-member council, there are seven MGP backed councillors, five BJP and three Congress backed councillors including Ritesh, who have changed their side recently to BJP. It is known that there are eight councillors with the BJP to make Ritesh as the next chairperson.
However, it is not easy as the PMC politics is not only on the party lines. It also expects a straight fight between the MGP and BJP for the post after new political development.
MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar is also expected to play major role in the PMC politics as he wants to have a hold on the Ponda Constituency after Lavu Mamlatdar lost election to Congress MLA Ravi Naik. Though, Ravi Naik is in Congress, it is said that he may wish his son to become a chairperson.
Sources in the PMC said that there was mutual understanding among the councillors to enjoy the post for one year and to resign thereafter.
However, now the politics has taken a new turn in Ponda after joining of three Congress supporters including Ravi’s son Ritesh Naik into BJP.
It is also said that BJP supporter Venktesh Naik, who resigned on Tuesday, may be still in the race, who is having good personal contacts with at least 12 councillors in the 15-member council. His sister-in-law (wife of brother) is also a councillor.
Further, if the MGP want to futile BJP’s plan to make Ritesh Naik as chairperson then MGP with seven councillors may support Venktesh Naik and thus chances are there that Venktesh may withdraw his resignation and continue as chairperson.
