Goemkarponn desk
PONDA: The Ponda taluka has achieved one of the highest voting percentages in the State, but it is still unclear who would be elected as voters gave mixed reactions.
One Vishal Fadte said inflation and unemployment are the main issues and decide voting factors.
In Ponda Taluka, Priol recorded the highest voting percentage of 87.73 per cent, followed by Shiroda 82.66 per cent, Marcaim 81.27 per cent, and the Ponda constituency recorded the lowest 77.89 per cent. Voters were in the queue since early morning.
Shiroda BJP candidate Subash Shirodkar said BJP would get a lead of a 3000 vote margin in all 45 booths in the constituency.
Ravi Naik, BJP Ponda Candidate and Sudin Dhavlikar, MGP candidate at Marcaim, also expressed confidence in winning the seat.
In Priol triangular contest is expected with Priol MLA and Minister Govind Gaude expressing confidence in winning the seat a second time from Priol, while his rival MGP candidate Deepak Dhavlikar and Independent candidate Sandeep Nigalye are also in the race of winning the seat. Besides, there are five other candidates in the fray.
At Ponda, it is a four-cornered battle with former CM Ravi Naik contesting on a BJP ticket faces the challenge of MGP Dr Ketan Bhatikar, Congress Rajesh Verenkar, and Independent Sandeep Khandeparkar besides three more candidates are in the fray.
At Shiroda, according to voters, the battle is between BJP candidate Subash Shirodkar and AAP candidate Mahadev Naik. However, the MGP candidate Sanket Mule, Congress Candidate Tukaram Borkar, NCP candidate Dr Subash Prabudesai also expected to give a tough fight beside other candidates are in the contest.
At Marcaim, eight candidates are contesting. Though it is said that Sudin Dhavlikar would win easily with a comfortable margin, there is a question over whether he would be able to retain the 13000 plus votes margin victory he gained in 2017 because he faces a tough challenge from friends turned foes – MGP former MLA MLA Lavu Mamlatdar, and BJP Candidate Sudesh Bhingi. Both of whom were once a supporter of Sudin Dhavlikar. Besides other candidates in fray.
