All panchayats in the taluka pledge support to government
CANACONA
With all seven panchayats in Canacona taluka now pledging their support to the State government after the recent elections, the battle has now shifted to the crucial posts of sarpanch and deputy sarpanch.
At Khola, there are five claimants to the post of sarpanch and three-time Panch and ex-sarpanch Ajay Pagui, who created a record of sorts by defeating ex-sarpanch Shrinivas Nayak, is likely to lead the panchayat for the first two years.
Ex-ZP (Khola) Krishna Velip, Krupesh Velip, Priyanka Velip, wife of ex-Panch Pavitra Velip and outgoing dy sarpanch Pandhari Prabhudessai have also made claims to the post of sarpanch.
Sources said while three of the newly elected panchas are known to have a close rapport with Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa, the sarpanch is likely to be finalised only a day prior to the election on August 22, at a meeting in the residence of ex-Dy CM Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar.
At Agonda, Fatima Rodrigues who defeated outgoing Sarpanch Badal Naikgaunkar is all set to occupy the sarpanch’s post in the village.
After initial hiccups, all seven elected panch’s of Agonda met Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar and pledged allegiance to the BJP government, after calculated moves were set in motion to thwart any moves by Naikgaunkar to once again take control of the panchayat through proxy.
Incidentally, the posts of deputy sarpanch has been reserved for women in both Agonda and Khola.
With the Shristhal panchayat elevated from seven to nine members, Livia Naik is likely to be elected as Sarpanch since the sarpanch’s post is reserved for women.
At Gaondongrim, former sarpanch Yeshwant (Dhillon) Desai, who was elected unopposed, is expected to return as sarpanch.
Prabhakar Gaonkar and former sarpanch Ashok B Velip are also believed to be strong contenders as efforts are on to break the alliance of 5 panchas with Dessai in the 9-member panchayat.
In Cotigao, the defeat of former Sarpanchas Umesh (Daya) Gaonkar and Rajesh Gaonkar has left Anandu Desai of Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar’s panel as the frontrunner to lead the seven-member panchayat.
Sharmila Gaunkar, Jayesh Gaonkar (who defeated outgoing sarpanch Daya Gaonkar), Krishna Gaonkar (who defeated ex-sarpanch Rajesh Gaonkar) and Vrunda Velip are also reportedly in the race for sarpanch’s post.
With the BJP controlling 5 of the 9 members, the speaker’s wife, Savita Tawadkar, is a forgone conclusion for the post of Sarpanch at the Poinguinim panchayat.
However, the united opposition with 4 panchas is trying its best to install any panch other than Tawadkar’s wife for the post of Sarpanch, which is reserved for women.
Shilpa, wife of ex-Dy Sarpanch Vipin Prabhugaongkar (who incidentally is from 5-member BJP group) and Asmita Joshi also from the BJP group are also being discussed as probable candidates.
In Loliem-Polem, Pratiza Bandekar is tipped to be elected as Sarpanch, but Ratna Prabhudessai who has gone closer to Tawadkar’s camp is reportedly making efforts to win confidence in the 9- member panchayat.
