CANACONA, OCT 4
Two candidates have filed their nomination papers on the first day of filing nominations for the 10-member Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) elections.
According to sources in the office of Deputy Collector Canacona, the first set of nomination papers of one Ramakant Naik Gaunkar was received to contest from Ward 5 (Kindlem). Former chairperson Santosh Gaonkar is the present councillor.
The second nomination was received from Ganaba Naikgaunkar for Ward 8 consisting of Bhagatwada/Sawantwada. Former chairperson Sameer Dessai is the sitting councillor.
Interestingly, three former chairpersons, who occupied the post during current term, will be ousted from the next year’s council without even contesting, as their wards are now reserved for women candidates.
They are Ranghanath Naik Gaunkar from Ward 1, which is now reserved for women. However, there is a possibility that Gaunkar’s wife will contest from the ward with former chairperson and outgoing councillor strongly relying behind to garner support for her candidature.
For Patnem councillor and most successful chairperson of current term Santosh Tubki has a double shock, as unlike Ward 1, his Ward 7 will not only be reserved for women, but it is reserved for women belonging to OBC community. Hence, Tubki has no option to field his wife or any other close kin.
The third former chairperson of the current term directly ousted will be Diwakar Pagui, after his Ward Palolem-II is reserved for women. However, as things stands as of now, chances of Pagui fielding his wife are reportedly gaining momentum.
By all probability, three more sitting councillors will be out of the council after the end of present term, as their chances of re-contesting are either blocked by reservations or simply they will keep not contest.
Ward 3 (Mastimoll) Councillor Anita Pramod Naikgaunkar cannot re-contest as the ward is reserved for ST community. Ward 6 Councillor Vijaya Madgavkar will most likely leave it to her male contestants to fight it out, as the ward is declared as general paving way for seasoned contestants like Ratnakar Dhuri.
Ward 9 (Palolem-I) Councillor Teresa Pagui, where her husband (former deputy chairperson) is in the forefront.
However, the forthcoming municipal elections have kept doors open to Chairperson Shyamsunder Dessai (Ward 4 Ponsulem), Deputy Chairperson Dilip Kenkre (Ward 2 Chaudi), former chairperson Santosh Gaonkar (Ward 5 Kindlem) and former chairperson Sameer Desai.
