OLD GOA: Pranita Kalangutkar was elected unopposed as sarpanch of Merces at a special meeting held in the panchayat office on Friday.
Kalangutkar replaces the outgoing sarpanch Sunita Palyekar, who had stepped down as part of the agreement to share the sarpanch’s post among the women panchas of the ruling panel. Anil Dhumaskar was the presiding officer for the election.
Speaking after the election, Kalangutkar could not hide her ecstasy while stating that she is indebted to her colleagues for giving her an opportunity to occupy the top post.
When questioned by The Goan whether she would be able to handle panchayat politics particularly the upcoming gram sabha, being young and inexperienced in the field, Kalangutkar said she would take guidance from her colleagues at every step.
To questions over duration of her term and whether the post would also be shared among the other women panchas of the ruling panel, Kalangutkar said that it would be a collective decision of the ruling panel.
Speaking on the occasion, panch Prakash Naik mentor of the ruling panel advised the newly elected sarpanch to be always available at the service of the people.
