VASCO
The All Goa Kannada Mahasangh (AGKM) has decided to float a panel of candidates for the upcoming panchayat elections in the State.
AGKM Honorary President Siddhana Meti said a final call will be taken after looking at the reservation and delimitation of wards in panchayats, adding the organisation would contest through a panel in those areas with a strong Kannadiga presence.
Meti was speaking to reporters at a function organised by leaders of various Kannadiga organisations in Goa to felicitate him on recently being awarded a doctorate in the field of social service.
"We will have panchayat elections in Goa by June and we have been getting a lot of requests from our Kannadiga members to participate in the panchayat elections. We had successfully floated a panel during panchayat elections in Sancoale since 2002 and we got a lot of seats elected here.”
“Our panel of candidates in Sancoale was so strong that we got around 5-6 people elected and my brother Sharan Meti even went to be the Sarpanch of Sancoale Panchayat on two occasions.
“As far as political experience is concerned, my brother has been a sarpanch in Goa and my wife has been elected as ZP and even been the ZP president in Karnataka. Based on this, Goa-based Kannadigas have expressed interest in contesting panchayat elections in Goa,” he said
Siddhana Meti said the Kannadiga community has a strong presence in Sancoale, Bicholim and even Calangute areas.
“We will decide on the areas after considering the delimitation, reservation and the strong presence of our Goan Kannadigas in the areas. If our people are interested and strong in the area, we can support them to form a panel and contest upcoming Panchayat elections as well," said Meti.
