CANACONA
Former councillors in two wards may have to face stiff challenge in getting re-elected as rivals are determined to oust them in the Canacona Municipal Council (CMC) polls.
WARD 7
(KINDLEBHAG)
Candidates contesting in Kindlebhag ward, which has 951 voters, will have a task to wrest the seat from the Dhuri clan, which has been representing the ward since the past five terms.
There will be a triangular contest between seasoned politician and four-term councillor and ex-chairperson Ratnakar Dhuri, Rajesh Naik and Gandesh Madgavkar.
Rajesh Naik is trying his luck for the fourth time after his sister-in-law had lost the last election to Ratnakar’s daughter, Samita Dhuri.
“I’m on a personal door-to-door campaign as people open up and I am able to respond to them,” said Rajesh.
However, Ratnakar Dhuri, a veteran politician who has been in control for five terms, has ambitious plans for the ward.
“I am in close touch with my electorate, but we will also visit them,” he said.
His former aide Gandesh Madgavkar has also entered the race, but Dhuri insists it won’t matter as many of his former detractors would come back to him.
WARD 8 (PATNEM)
With the highest number of voters (1,186) among all 12 wards, Patnem will also have the most number of candidates (5) in the fray.
Outgoing councillor and ex-deputy chairperson Maruti Komarpant is pitted against Ashok Pagui, who had his wife as former councillor, Shekar (Manoj) Naik, Sopan Dhuri and Shubham Komarpant.
Incidentally, Shubham has been backed by Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes.
“I am keen to have a proper parking facility at Patnem, which is a coastal area, repair roads and to solve the water and electricity problems in the ward,” said Shubham.
