Goemkarponn Desk
PONDA & SANKHALI: Rashmi Dessai who was elected unopposed as Chairperson of Sanquelim Municipal Council was sworn in today while Anand Kanekar who was also elected unopposed as Vice Chairperson has been sworn in today.
Ritesh Naik from BJP backed panel has been elected as Chairperson of Ponda Municipal Council while Deepa Kolvekar has been appointed as ViceChairperson.
Incumbent Ponda chairperson Ritesh Naik filed his nomination while the MGP-backed Rising Ponda panel has fielded Councillor Shivanand Sawant. For the vice-chairperson’s post, BJP-supported Councillor Deepa Colvekar and Vedika Volvoikar of Rising Ponda have filed their nominations.
In the 15-member Ponda Municipal Council, the strength of BJP-backed panel is 10, while, Rising Ponda had four councillors and one independent councillor is also backing the Rising Ponda. It is learnt that the Rising Ponda is trying to seek support of some of the councillors who are disappointed for not being chosen for the coveted posts.
In Ponda, 10,653 voters (5,306 male and 5347 female) out of the total 14,271 electorate exercised their right to cast the votes using ballot paper and sealing the fate of 43 candidates in the fray for 13 wards.
The panel supported by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant won 11 out of the 12 seats in the Sankhalim Municipal Council, while one candidate owing affiliation to the Congress was elected unopposed.
On the polling day, the State Election Commission (SEC) declared that the SMC had registered a record 87.56 per cent polling while 74.66 per cent polling was recorded in Ponda.
The candidates of the winning panels celebrated their wins by taking out rallies and spraying of gulal in both the towns.
The SMC chief’s post is reserved for women candidates while the Ponda municipality chairperson’s post is open for all councillors.
In the Ponda Municipal Council, the candidates supported by the BJP won 11 out of the 15 seats, while four other candidates clinched the remaining seats.
Goa BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade said the victory was due to the tireless efforts of party workers who stood by the candidates.
Voters have been time and again supporting the BJP because of its development policies in the state, he added.
Speaking to media after Election Chairperson Ritesh Naik said his priority is to complete the development works proposed in PMC.
He said Palika Bazaar construction work would be launched soon.
He also said there would Parking Project and food Court besides other works are also proposed. Crematorium work would launched.
