PERNEM
Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar wrested control of the Mandrem panchayat when his candidate, Amit Sawant, was elected sarpanch unopposed on Tuesday.
Sawant is the second sarpanch of the coastal village, after Mahesh Konadkar from ex-MLA Dayanand Sopte’s panel was elected on August 22, was served a no-confidence motion a day later and was ousted in a no-confidence motion on August 29.
Seven panchas in Arolkar’s group are Amit Sawant, Prashant Naik, Tara Hadfadkar, Michelle Sharon Fernandes, Robert Fernandes, Kiran Sawant and Minguel Fernandes, while the opposition group comprises Mahesh Konadkar, Rajesh Mandrekar, Chetna Pednekar and Sampada Asgavkar.
A no-confidence motion is now likely to be moved against Deputy Sarpanch Chetna Pednekar and Tara Hadfadkar is expected to replace Pednekar.
According to sources, the seven panchas backed by MLA Jit Arolkar went to a temple in Redi-Maharashtra and pledged to be loyal to each other in the panchayat body. They agreed that Amit Sawant would serve as sarpanch for two years.
The post of sarpanch and deputy sarpanch would then be rotated among the ruling group of panchas during the remaining term of the panchayat.
Incidentally, Konadkar was not present at the special panchayat meeting to elect the new sarpanch.
When asked about illegal constructions and hill-cutting activity in the village, newly-elected Mandrem Sarpanch Amit Sawant said the aggrieved persons and associations should submit a written complaint to the panchayat and appropriate action will be initiated.
Speaking to reporters, Arolkar assured to develop Mandrem village and Mandrem constituency in general.
When asked why Kiran Sawant from his panel was not made the sarpanch despite being initially announced as the sarpanch after panchayat elections, Arolkar said there had been changes in politics and accordingly, Amit Sawant was elected as sarpanch and added that he was acceptable to the ruling group of panchas.
