I spend time with family, reading: Mamledar

PONDAr rAs first-time MLA, Mamledar would meet voters at his office in Ponda each day, but following his defeat in the polls, visits to his office have become rare. r“Yes, the flow of visitors have come down after my defeat. My staff strength has been reduced from 20 to 11. But I have not stopped working for people. I am still active in politics and will come back as MLA,” said Mamledar. rMamledar is now focused on spending time with his family. “Earlier, I used to remain busy and did not have time with my family. Now, I can spend quality time with them. I also get a lot of time to read books.” rHe is also content with the pension he gets from the police department and as former MLA. “I never wanted to venture into any business as I am content with the income that I get from pension.” rThe former police official turned politician was quick to identify the reasons for his defeat in the 2017 polls. r“Our policies were wrong and people were unhappy with issues we had raised. Secondly, I didn’t get sufficient time to visit houses in my constituency. Then, the BJP workers damaged me when I was MLA. They obstructed my development works only to show that I could not deliver.” rIt was a major setback for Mamledar when some staffers deserted him barely few days prior to the assembly elections and joined another politician. r“I know that some people back-stabbed me and I repent for not taking sufficient precautions. I erred in trusting everyone and in failing to understand the ‘politics’ of those working against me.” rAsked if he would make efforts to win them over, Mamledar shot back: “I will never do it. How can you trust such persons? Even if I were to consider that option, my loyal supporters would leave me for hobnobbing with untrustworthy people.” rMamledar is, however, positive and adds with confidence, “I think experience teaches a lot and I have learnt from my mistakes. What has happened is now in the past and I am now in a better position to tackle different kinds of ‘politics’.” rTo a query on his plans to contest the 2022 polls, Mamledar replied: “I will definitely be back as MLA in the next assembly election. I will definitely contest from Ponda and will win.” rSudesh Narvekar of Durgabhat-Ponda and said Mamledar was very good at his work. “He has done a lot of development work, but failed to take publicity for it. Besides, there are no allegations of corruption against him,” said Narvekar, a staunch supporter of Mamledar. However, former Ponda Municipal Council chairperson Kishore Naik and supporter of Ponda MLA Ravi Naik, said Mamledar could not promote development works. “He had no rapport with people and was not even aware of his role in affairs of the municipality. He simply failed to deliver,” he said.