Congman among two file in Mapusa
MAPUSA
A Congressman was among the two who filed their nominations on Saturday for the election to the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC), taking the total number of nominations filed to four so far.
Vailankani Jovila Pinto filed her nomination from Ward 2, which is reserved for women, while Luis Antonio Alvares, who had joined Congress a couple of months back, filed his nomination from Ward 15 (general ward).
"Alvares is our candidate for Ward 15. We will support him in the election," said Vijay Bhike, President of North Goa District Congress Committee.
Two persons “ father and son “ had filed their nomination from Ward 7, a general ward, on Friday.
Several aspiring candidates are awaiting the decision of the High Court on the skewed reservation process and delimitation of wards conducted by the government in various municipalities in the State.
The HC is expected to pronounce its order in the matter on Monday (March 1).
The BJP and the opposition led by Congress are yet to officially announce their panels for the municipal election in Mapusa.
Three in Mormugao
VASCO
With no nominations filed during the first two days, social activist Tara Kerkar became the first of three candidates to file nominations for the upcoming civic polls from Mormugao Municipal council on Saturday morning.
Kerkar filed her nominations to contest the civic polls from Ward 22 (New Vaddem). Two others, social worker Aaqif Syed (Ward 14) and Pushpa Yadav (Ward 10) also filed their nominations.
Speaking to reporters after filing her nomination, Kerkar said many people had persuaded her to contest from Ward 22 to take up development works.
"Ward 22 is a general ward and people have supported my candidature. I have been a councillor and even headed the municipal council in the past and I am confident of getting elected again.
Social worker Aaqif Syed also claimed to have the support of people.
"We have had the same councillor for 15 years and our councillor who won three consecutive times has not able to do full justice to our ward and people want a change. Many approached my family and requested me to contest from my ward.’
“My family is well known in the area and has been doing social work for a long time. People want us to move one step ahead and represent them in the council," said Syed.
Meanwhile, Pushpa Yadav maintained a low profile and did not interact with the media.
Vasco veg, fruit market leader opens poll office
VASCO
A Vasco vegetable and fruit market leader has decided to contest against former Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson and Vasco BJP Mandal President Deepak Naik in Ward 12 (Baina).
The election office of Prashant Naik was inaugurated by Vijan Dabholkar on Saturday evening.
Speaking to reporters, Prashant Naik said in the last election, he had contested against Deepak Naik and was defeated by a small margin,
“This time, people had persuaded me to contest. Many people are upset with the outgoing council for not having taken up development as assured, especially in my ward, and this time I will make it to the council for sure," said Naik.
