PERNEMPernem BJP Block President Tulshidas Gawas was on Tuesday elected unopposed as Sarpanch of Chandel panchayat. The post had fallen vacant following the resignation of Santosh Malik. "I have been elected as sarpanch with the cooperation of Pernem MLA Praveen Arlekar. I will prove the confidence shown in me by my fellow panchas. A lot of area in the village has gone for the Mopa project and many farmers are still awaiting their due rewards. I'm committed to serving justice to them," said Gawas. When asked if was forced to resign under political pressure, Malik claimed it was already decided to elect Gawas as sarpanch before the assembly elections. Gawas will serve as sarpanch till December, when elections to Chandel panchayat are due.
