PERNEM
Pernem Municipal Council (PMC) Chairman Dr Vasudev Deshprabhu resigned from the BJP on Tuesday, after accusing the party of having failed to support him in elections to Ward 5 of the council.
Dr Deshprabhu has now decided to float an independent panel to contest the PMC polls, in a bid to return to power in the council.
Announcing his resignation as a primary member of the BJP, Dr Deshprabhu informed reporters that he had submitted his resignation letter to the State BJP President Vinay Tendulkar.
Dr Deshprabhu “ a councillor from Ward 2 during previous PMC elections “ and Councillor Upendra Deshprabhu, have lost their chance to contest the polls due to reservation of their wards.
Both have indicated their intention to contest from Ward 5, but the ward is presently represented by Councillor, Vishram Gadekar, who is also a BJP supporter.
“The BJP has supported candidates to those who are not loyal to the party, and this is injustice to me. I will teach them a good lesson by forming an independent panel and will emerge successful in winning elections in the council,” said Dr Deshprabhu.
All eyes are now on newly-inducted Forest and Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar's ability to overcome rebellion among disgruntled candidates, if the BJP has to succeed in taking control of Goa's northernmost municipal council.
When contacted, State BJP President Vinay Tendulkar informed that he is yet to receive Dr Deshprabhu's resignation letter.
Meanwhile, candidates have already begun expressing confidence of victory in the PMC polls.
Speaking to reporters after filing her nomination, Shraddha Mashelkar, a contestant from Ward 7 said that Amita Mashelkar and her mother, Resha Mashelkar, had carried out development work when they were councillors.
“I will surely get public because of them. My father, Suresh Mashelkar, was also engaged in developmental works and I have the support of the people. I am sure of victory in my ward,” said Mashelkar.
Siddhesh Pednekar, who is contesting from Ward 9, said that the ward has been reserved for an SC candidate.
“The first choice of candidate will be for a member from our society. As the BJP has given its full support to me, my victory is certain,” claimed Pednekar.
“Voters should only give me one chance and I will prove myself. I will work to ensure that government schemes reach all houses in the ward,” he added.
