CANACONA
Eleven candidates withdrew from the fray on Saturday, leaving 31 candidates to contest elections in 12 wards at the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC).
Eight wards will witness a straight fight, while two wards are set to have a contest among three candidates and the other two wards will have 4-5 candidates in the fray.
Prominent among those who withdrew their nominations on Saturday included former CMC chairpersons Hemant Gracias and Prarthana Naikgaunkar, from Chaudi (Ward 2).
According to sources, Prarthana Naikgaunkar and her husband, Ramakant had filed nominations in Ward 2 after their Kindlem ward was reserved for OBC women. She withdrew in favour of her husband, while Hemant Gracias reportedly withdrew in support of Levino Gracias.
A straight fight will take place between outgoing councillor Hemant Naikgaunkar and former CMC chairperson Ranghanath Naikgaunkar in Ward 1 (Nagarcem), Ramakant Naikgaunkar and Levino Gracias (Ward 2), Supriya Desai and Jayashree Shet in Ward 3 (Delem-Mastimoll), Pandurang (Dhiraj) Naikgaunkar and outgoing councillor Kishore Shet in Ward 4 (Mastimoll), Amita Pagi and Roshan Pagi in Ward 5 (Kindlem), former chairperson Nitu Desai pitted against Sanija Desai in Ward 9 (Sawantwada), Sharmila Desai and Sara Desai in Ward 11 (Palolem-Devabhag).
Three candidates, former chairpersons Ratnakar Dhuri, Gandesh Madgaunkar and Rajesh Naik, will contest in Ward 7 (Kindlebhag), while three other candidates, ex-chairperson Divakar Pagi, Kanay Pagi and Laxman Pagui will contest in Ward 12 (Palolem).
The other candidates contesting elections are Gilbert Fernandes, Narcisco Fernandes, Wilson Fernandes and Ajay Gosavi (Ward 6 - Ponsulem-OBC reserved), Sopan Dhuri, former deputy chairperson Maruti Komarpant, Shekhar Naik, Ashok Pagi and Shubham Komarpant (Ward 8 - Patnem).
Incidentally, Canacona BJP MLA Isidore Fernandes and the BJP block is likely to announce its panel of candidates, sources told The Goan.
