Former Arpora sarpanch’s wife elected unopposed

POLITICAL COMEBACK: Former Arpora-Nagoa sarpanch Roshan Redkar with his wife Deepika Redkar, who was elected unopposed in the panchayat by-election from the ward, reflecting the family’s continued public support despite the former sarpanch’s disqualif

Despite the severe political fallout following the Birch by Romeo Lane fire tragedy, public support for former Arpora-Nagoa sarpanch Roshan Redkar appears to remain intact, with his wife Deepika Redkar being elected unopposed in the panchayat by-election from the ward.

Deepika Redkar’s uncontested victory is being viewed in political circles as a strong message from residents of Dias Waddo and Diwan Bhatti, who have stood firmly behind the Redkar family despite the action taken against the former sarpanch.

Roshan Redkar was disqualified as sarpanch by the Directorate of Panchayats following administrative action connected to the probe into the Birch by Romeo Lane fire incident, in which several people lost their lives.

He was also barred from holding any panchayat office for five years.

The action against Redkar had at the time appeared to politically isolate him, with critics arguing that he was made a scapegoat in the aftermath of the tragedy.

However, the unopposed election of his wife suggests that public sentiment within the ward has not shifted significantly against the family.

In a social media post after the result, Roshan Redkar thanked the residents for their “support, trust and confidence.” He said the unopposed victory reflected the unity and cooperation among the people of the ward.