MAPUSA
In an attempt to retain political legacy several former chairpersons and ex-councilors have fielded their sons, daughters, sisters, wives and husbands in the civic election for the Mapusa Municipal Council election.
Four former chairpersons and three ex-vice-chairpersons are among the 81 candidates who will be contesting the civic election from various wards in Mapusa after 14 candidates withdrew their nominations on Saturday.
While three wards will see a straight fight, four wards will witness a three-cornered battle in the election. Similarly, seven wards will see four-cornered contests while there will be a multi-cornered contest in six wards.
Highest number of contestants is in ward 14 where eight candidates are in the fray.
At least nine wards have all new faces contesting the election while one husband-wife duo and two brothers are also trying their luck in the ensuing polls.
13 outgoing councilors will not contest the election as their wards have been reserved in various categories but most have either fielded their kin or supported individual candidates.
In wards 3, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 16 all the candidates are first time contestants while wards 9, 13 and 19 will witness one to one contest.
Former chairperson Ryan Braganza has nominated his sister Kayle Braganza from ward 9 while former chairperson Subhash Narvekar has fielded his son Shashank Narvekar in ward 6.
Interestingly, ex-chairperson Michael Carrasco who is contesting in ward 4 has fielded his daughter Nalisha Carrasco in ward 3 which is reserved for ST women.
Manisha Kavlekar wife of former chairperson Rohan Kavlekar is contesting from ward 18.
Former councilor Martin Carrasco has nominated his wife Barbara Carrasco from ward 3 while another ex-councilor Vinod Phadke has fielded his son Viraj Phadke in ward 16.
Vishwas Salgaonkar the husband of outgoing councilor Vibha Salgaonkar will be contesting from ward 16.
In one to one battle, former chairperson Rupa Bhakta will take on her former colleague and ex-chairperson Sudhir Kandolkar in ward 19.
The husband-wife duo of Anand Bhaidkar and outgoing councilor Alpha Baidkar are contesting from ward 1 and 2 respectively. Both contested from the same wards in the last election where the former had lost.
Similarly, two brothers “ Tarak Arolkar and Vikas Arolkar “ are contesting in ward 7 and 8 respectively.
Four former chairpersons “ Prabhakar Vernekar, Michael Carrasco, Sudhir Kandolkar and Rupa Bhakta and three ex-vice-chairpersons “ Marlene De’Souza, Prakash Bhivshet and Vijeyta Naik “ are contesting the election.
Outgoing councilors Ryan Braganza, Sandip Falari, Rajsingh Rane, Franky Carvalho, Sanjay Mishal, Annie Alphonso, Tushar Tople, Martin Carrasco, Madhumita Narvekar, Deepti Langekar, Vibha Salgaonkar, Rohan Kavlekar and Kavita Arlekar will not contest because their wards have been reserved in various categories.
Joshua D’Souza was representing ward 13 as a councilor and had not resigned after he was elected as the MLA of Mapusa.
11 pull out, 125 in fray at Mormugao
VASCO: A Total of 11 candidates withdrew their nominations on Saturday leaving 125 aspirants in the fray at the upcoming civic polls from 25 different wards of the Mormugao Municipal Council.
Speaking to media persons, Dy Collector Sachin Desai said that a total of 11 candidates withdrew their nominations.
"We had time till 3 pm today. We found a total of 136 valid nominations after the scrutiny process and with 11 withdrawals, we now have 125 candidates in the fray for MMC elections. We have also alloted symbols to all the candidates and also had a briefing with them," said Desai.
Meanwhile, the highest number of nominations (11) have been filed in Wards 12 followed by ward no 17 (10 ).
There will be a direct contest in wards no 8 and 9 where BJP backed outgoing councillor Murari Bandekar lock horns with Congress backed outgoing councillor Shraddha Amonkar and Congress backed Yogita Parsekar versus BJP cacked Tanuja Sawant respectively.
There will also be a direct fight in Vasco constituency where Shami Salkar, wife of three-time city ward councillor Krishna Daji Salkar will contest against BJP backed Shalaka Kambli.
