PONDA
As a result, the post of sarpanch, which is reserved for women, has been deferred to July 8, but there are strong possibilities that this post could remain in a deadlock, with the BJP-backed panchas in no mood to support the MPG-supported panchas.
According to BDO Prasiddh Naik, “the sarpanch’s post in Volvoi has been reserved for women. There are two women panchas in the five-member panchayat.”
The newly elected panchayat consists of Anjali Naik, Nilkanth Naik, Anjali Vengurlekar, Digambar Tari and Rajendra Naik.
While both women panchas are backed by the MGP, the male panchas have the support of the BJP.
On Monday, the male panchas refused to support Anjali Naik, who had staked claim to the sarpanch’s post. Her name was proposed by the other woman panch Anjali Vengurlekar, but could not get one of three male panchas to second her nomination.
As a result, Anjali Naik’s nomination was rejected by the presiding officer and fresh election to the post has been postposed to July 8. But the BJP-backed male panchas in no mood to support Anjali Naik and the sarpanch’s post could well be vacant for an extended period.
Incidentally, Digamber Tari had no difficulty in getting elected as deputy sarpanch of Volvoi.
When contacted, former Priol MLA Deepak Dhavalikar claimed that politicians speak about empowerment of women, but do not support this empowerment in reality.
“The sarpanch’s post is reserved for women in Volvoi. The MGP has two women panchas and BJP has three male panchas in this
panchayat. This post will remain vacant if the women panchas do not get support,” Dhavalikar said.
On the other hand, BJP leader and former Priol MLA Vishwas Satarkar made it clear that the BJP-backed male panchas would not support the MGP-backed women panchas.
“Why should we support them, when in past their panchas have harassed our panchas,” justified Satarkar.
When reminded that that post would remain vacant if they don’t get support from BJP-backed panchas, Satarkar replied: “The two panchas have not approached our panchas. We will see whether we should support them or not. We will put some conditions and they should accept them,” he said.
