PONDA
The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party on Sunday opened its office in a prime area of Tisk-Ponda that could be a prelude to the municipal election scheduled on April 29. However, it has not declared its candidates.
Secondly, it was clear that with the absence of Lavu Mamledar, Dr Ketan Bhatikar has grabbed the ‘political space’ of the former.
“MGP is there to back its supporters. We will work for betterment of all,” Minister for PWD Sudin Dhavalikar
said during the opening of the office.
Dr Ketan Bhatikar, Abhay Prabhu and MGP-supported councilors were present on the occasion. The workers of ‘national parties’ were also seen at the inaugural of regional party’s office.
Interestingly, former Ponda MLA Lavu Mamledar was not present at the inauguration. While addressing the gathering, Dhavalikar praised only Dr Ketan Bhatikar. “Bhatikar and some councilors have come forward to make
MGP strong in Ponda, which is the need of the hour,” Dhavalikar said.
“The way some things are going on in the municipality and other areas, I feel there is a need for MGP to set things right. Concerned by the current state of affairs,
Bhatikar and some councilors met me with their plan,” Dhavalikar stated.
“MGP is the oldest party and it has been in the assembly for many decades. It is a known name in every house. Let us work together to make it more stronger,” Dhavalikar appealed to his supporters.
He also said that there was a need to open another office in Curti to provide facilities and to pay heed to the grievances of the people from Curti, Khandepar and Opa.
What is more interesting is that though MGP was functioning from its existing office near zonal agriculture office (where Lavu Mamledar meets people), it has come up with a new office just four hundred meters away from the existing office.
Physiotherapist Dr Ketan Bhatikar had fought last Panaji bypoll against Manohar Parrikar on a Goa Suraksha Manch ticket. Now there is a possibility that he could be the next candidate of MGP from Ponda for the next assembly election.
Mamledar lost assembly election in 2017. He secured a mere 3796 votes and stood fourth among five candidates.
When sought to know his absence, Mamledar cited personal reasons. “I could not attend the office inauguration due to some personal reasons. My exisiting office will also function and I will meet people in it,” Mamledar said.
