MAPUSA
In a keenly contested election for the managing committee of the popular Shree Dev Bodgeshwar Devasthan, Mapusa incumbent secretary Vaman Pandit maintained a lead over his nearest rival, incumbent president Anand Bhaidkar, even as counting continued late into Sunday evening.
The third candidate for the top post, former president Mahesh Rane, lagged significantly behind.
A large number of mahajans turned out to cast their votes, reflecting strong interest in the elections. Out of 1,416 eligible voters, 1,189 exercised their franchise.
The election process at Shree Dev Bodgeshwar Devasthan began at 10 am and concluded at 3 pm, though counting was still in progress at the time of reporting.
Meanwhile, elections for the managing committees of 32 out of the 34 devasthans (temples) in Bardez were conducted peacefully.
The elections for two temples “ Shree Sateri Bhagwati Devasthan in Aldona and Shantadurga Devasthan in Candolim “ were postponed.
“The elections to all 32 devasthans took place in a peaceful manner. No untoward incidents were reported from any part of the taluka,” said Anant Malik, Mamlatdar of Bardez, who also serves as the Administrator of Devalayas in the region.
In most Bardez temples, the managing committees were elected unopposed, with the election process concluding by noon.
However, the Shree Dev Bodgeshwar Devasthan election witnessed a fierce triangular contest, given its significance in the region.
The following were the members elected to the managing committee of the Shri Vithal Rakhumai Devasthan, Ansabhat, Mapusa: President - Tushar Tople, Secretary - Paresh Natekar, Treasurer “ Prasad Kavlekar and Attorney - Suraj Dangui.
Similarly, the following were the members elected to the managing committee of the Shri Dev Rashtroli Devasthan, Khorlim, Mapusa: President “ Askhay Salgoankar, Secretary “ Hemant Joshi, Treasurer “ Dinesh Nadodkar and Attorney “ Mitun Gauns.
The newly elected managing committees will serve a three-year term from 2025 to 2028.
