Ponda civic poll is Roy-Ravi v/s Lavoo
GOANEWS DESK, PONDA | 11 May 2013 23:14 IST
Ponda municipal council election, scheduled tomorrow (Sunday), is a litmus test for Ponda’s MGP MLA Lavoo Mamledar against former MLA Ravi Naik, who has even fielded his son Roy.
Altogether 60 candidates are in the fray for 14 seats, but the main fight is between MGP-BJP- sponsored Ponda Citizens’ Committee and Ravi-sponsored Ponda Vikas Samiti.
Interesting, on the last day of campaign, both the groups accused each other of fielding candidates with criminal background.
Roy Naik is contesting against sitting councillor and MGP supporter Venkatesh Naik.
“There are people in the fray having charges of drug trade”, said Mamledar, while countering the charge of fielding candidates with criminal background.
PVS president Ram Kunkolienkar alleged that the PCC is having candidates who have encroached upon municipal land.
Though there are multiple candidates in many wards, the prime fight would be a straight one, thus the serious candidates having tough time.
Almost 15,526 voters would decide the fate of these candidates on Sunday.
The election authorities have not identified any sensitive booth but police are keeping strict vigil at least in four wards – 4, 9, 11 and 12.
One among it – ward 4 – is from where Roy is contesting.
Returning officer Johnson Fernandes told goanews.com that voting would take place in 23 booths for 14 wards, between 7 am to 5 pm.
Police team managing the election includes four police sub inspectors, seven Assistant Sub Inspectors, Eighteen Head Constables, 87 constables, 29 lady police constables and 14 home guards.
While congratulating the winning members of BJP-MGP combine it is relieving that Ponda municipality is freed from clutches of former MLA and local politician. This political leader used Ponda PMC as his own fifdom. He erected two towers of his own in Ponda. He embezzled the funds and projects meant for Ponda city and Taluka. I hope new members of council would strive to put the administration on track. Ponda city has myriad problems and lot can be done to improve infrastructure and overall layout of city with no. of facilities in the interest of its residents. The new councilllors are educated and well aware of issues faced by the city. With the support of the state government they have added benefit to make it(development) happen. Let us wait and watch.