CURCHOREM
Though Gaonkar has denied any involvement in the panchayat election, his supporters have been campaigning in both the panchayats.
Sources close to Pawaskar said many candidates, especially the new faces who are contesting the panchayat election, have met Pawaskar.
Aware of the importance of panchayat elections, his supporters were seen on door-to-door campaign and attending ward-wise meetings and while the MLA may not have been present in the meetings, he has been closely monitoring the campaign.
Sources said Pawaskar has not floated any panel, but would support those who win to undertake development works in his constituency.
On the other hand, there are speculations that Gaonkar would try his best to garner support for his candidates and will try and wrest control of the panchayats to gain back his lost ground.
When contacted, Gaonkar said he has not floated any panel for the panchayat polls.
Asked if he was backing any candidates in Kalay and Sanvordem constituency and if he was indirectly involvement in panchayat election, he replied in the negative.
In Sanvordem panchayat, 28 candidates are contesting from eight wards and Sandip Pawaskar, brother of MLA Pawaskar, has been elected unopposed from Ward 6. In Kalay, 20 candidates are contesting from seven wards.
