MARGAO
Navelim BJP MLA Ulhas Tuenkar is facing an acid test to his leadership as he has descended in the poll battle in support of party-backed candidates, even as reports indicate that it’s BJP versus BJP in some of the panchayat wards.
The first time BJP MLA made no secret of the fact that the party has fielded panels in the three village panchayats of Rumdamol-Davorlim, Davorlim and Aquem-Baixo, where the party enjoys significant presence. In the two minority-dominated panchayats of Navelim and Telaulim, the ruling party has extended support to a couple of candidates of its choice.
MLA Ulhas, however, is facing a challenge from local party leaders, who are reported to have fielded their own set of candidates, especially for the Aquem-Baixo panchayat.
Former Sarpanch Damu, who is in the fray along with his wife, has already expressed his displeasure with the way the MLA has extended support to some of the candidates.
Sources pointed out that the Damu-Satyavijai group has fielded candidates in some of the wards.
The Navelim MLA, however, seemed unperturbed over the developments unfolding in the party. While admitting that there may be more than one candidate affiliated to the BJP in the fray in some of the wards, Ulhas said he has extended support to candidates where there’s only one party-backed candidate in the fray. He conceded that certain leaders, who have been opposed to him in the past, have also put up candidates for the elections for the Aquem-Baixo panchayat.
A former Sarpanch of Rumdamol panchayat and Zilla Panchayat member representing Davorlim constituency, Ulhas has hit the ground in his home village of Rumdamol in support of party“backed candidates. On Sunday, he was seen moving around Rumdamol village with outgoing Sarpanch Vinayak Volvoikar and a group of supporters.
BJP spokesperson locked in triangular contest in Rumdamol
MARGAO: Ruling BJP spokesperson Urfan Mulla is locked in a triangular contest for the Rumdamol village panchayat.
Ward No VIII had hogged the limelight last week after candidate Umran Pathan was arrested by the Margao police for posting objectionable material directed at Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
After his release on bail, Umran had taken pot shots at the BJP leaders. Without taking names, Umran had charged his rivals in the fray behind his arrest.
The ensuing polls are perceived as crucial for Urfan Mullah, who had set his eyes on the party ticket for the Navelim Assembly seat before the party leadership shortlisted Ulhas Tuenkar for the Assembly polls.
There were reports that Urfan had staked claims for the BJP ticket to contest the bye-poll for the Davorlim ZP seat, which had fallen vacant following the election of Ulhas Tuenkar to the Goa Legislative Assembly.
