Valpoi
Four wards in Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC) have been declared as reserved. Ward 5 and 6 have been reserved for women (general), while ward 9 is reserved for women (OBC) and ward 4 is declared as OBC. However, the announcement didn't evoke any surprise among some councillors. VMC Chairperson Sharafat Khan remarked that his ward number 6 should have been in the general category, as prior to his contesting the election the last time it was reserved for women.
"The reservation exercise does not follow a proper rotational system. My ward should have been in the general category, but for some reason it has been reserved two times in the last 10 years. I have undertaken a lot of work during my tenure, and the people in my ward are pleased with my performance. Since the reservation of wards was announced in the morning, there has been a continuous stream of visitors to my house who have been convincing me to continue. So I have decided to go with the people, and my wife will contest the election from same ward," Sharafat informed.
Ward 5 councillor, Faizal Shaikh, said that the government announcement came as no surprise as he along with his supporters had anticipated that his ward would be reserved for women. He gave indications that his wife would contest from the same ward, and added that he will listen to whatever his supporters advice him.
