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Conversely, the former BJP MLA, Kiran Kandolkar who lost the assembly polls to Halarnkar managed to retain his influence in other seven panchayats.
While Halarnkar consolidated his position in Tivim Panchayat with nine members belonging to his group emerging victorious, the Tivim MLA lost his sway on Colvale Panchayat in his home village.
The loss of Colvale will be a big setback for Halarnkar, as his panel was in power in the panchayat for the last 30 years.
Only three of his supporters won in Colvale, while four belonging to Kandolkar won and two were elected as independents.
Sources disclosed that the former BJP MLA has managed to win over the other two independents and form his panel in the Colvale Panchayat.
Halarnkar admitted that in most panchayats, he won’t be able to install his
sarpanchas but did not see it as a defeat.
“In many panchayats, none of my supporters were in power. In this election, many of my supporters have gained entry in the panchayat,” he said.
“None of my supporters were in power in Sirsaim Panchayat. Today, three of my supporters have been elected and a fourth independent candidate will join us and our panel will elect the sarpanch there,” he added.
Similarly, in Assonora and Nadora he had only one member each last time while after Tuesday’s result the tally has increased to three and two members in the respective panchayats.
“In Revora too I had only one panch member in the previous election which has now gone up to two. In Camurlim, it has gone up from zero to three members,” he said.
While Halarnkar may be harping over increase in the tally, former MLA, Kiran Kandolkar has managed to snatch the advantage from the ruling MLA, as most of his supporters have either been re-elected or won as newcomers.
“People have realized on the false promises made on job prospects by the MLA and have preferred to elect BJP-backed candidates in the panchayat,” Kandolkar said.
He blamed the delimitation process for failure to gain foothold in Tivim.
“The outgoing panch members of Tivim managed to do the delimitation of the wards as per their choice. Also, most of my candidates lost by narrow margin,” he added.
Kandolkar said his panels will elect sarpanchas in seven panchayats in Tivim including Sirsaim.
