MARGAO
Two doctors and as many nurses, a chief karate instructor, a couple of contractors and businessmen et al. That’s the composition of the new set of councillors who have been elected to the Margao Municipal Council.
The husband-wife duo of Sadanand and Babita Naik will be seen together in the corridors of the MMC building following their election to the civic body. A couple of former chairpersons, including Pooja Naik, Ganashyam Shirodkar have returned to power.
Among those elected are two young doctors elected on the BJP-backed Vibrant Margao panel. While 26-year old Dr Ronita Ajgaonkar is a physiotherapist, Dr Sushanta Kurtakar is a homeopath.
Both were not on the list of the Vibrant Margao candidates when the BJP-backed panel had finalized its list. While Dr Ronita had descended on the battlefield in place of father Rajendra, Dr Sushanta agreed to fight the battle on behalf of his brother, sitting councillor Ketan after the wards were reserved for women.
Of the two nurses amongst the list of successful candidate, Succorina Gomes, has made it to the civic body from ward 7 on the BJP-backed Vibrant Margao panel by getting the better of the candidate fielded by the Goa Forward and Independent, former MMC Chairperson Arthur D’Silva.
The second candidate, Dipali Sawal, is also a nurse by profession. Dipali had made a mark in her ward comprising areas like Calconda, Shirvodem, Chinchal, Azad Nagar and Khareband with her social work. She had reached out to every household during the Covid lockdown.
Karate instructor Camilo Barretto has made it to the council in his fifth attempt. Earlier, his wife was elected as the councillor, but a victory had eluded Camilo for the last two decades. He was elected on the Vibrant Margao panel.
The majority of the councillors elected are into business. Amongst them includes a transport contractor, a driving school instructor, a PWD contractor, a real estate developer, a liquor businessman etc.
There are at least two councillors elect who are in service, one with a reputed Sancoale-based industry and a lady, who was into government service till she filed her nomination papers.
Two-time former chairperson Ganashyam Shirodkar has returned to the civic body after a gap of 10 years, 62-year old Raju Naik has made it to the civic body for the fourth time in the last 20 years.
Councillors, who have made it to the civic body for the second time, include Pooja Naik, Lyndon Pereira, Johnny Crasto, Damu Shirodkar and Babita Naik.
