the goan I network
VASCO
They may be presently sparring at the State level, but the ruling group of councillors backed by the Congress, a faction of the BJP and the NCP combined in an unusual show of unity on Wednesday to get Kritesh Naik Goankar elected as the 50th chairperson of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC).
Gaonkar defeated Nilesh Navelkar of the opposition panel by 13-12 votes in a closely fought contest.
Incidentally, newly elected MMC Chairperson Kritesh Gaonkar and the ruling panel has been backed by Urban Development Minister Milind Naik.
Nominations had been filed by four councillors, Nandadeep Raut, Kritesh Gaonkar, Fredrick Henriques and Nilesh Navelkar on Tuesday. The nominations of Henriques and Raut were later withdrawn, resulting in a straight fight between Kritesh Gaonkar and Nilesh Navelkar.
A police force was deployed at the MMC premises to avoid any untoward incident and entry inside the premises, where elections were to be conducted. The area was restricted to councillors, MMC officials and the media to avoid any drama that could erupt post election results. A huge crowd of supporters of Gaonkar had gathered outside the MMC building and the group erupted into jubilation burst firecrackers when Gaonkar was elected the 50th chairperson of MMC.
Margao Municipal Council Chief Officer Siddhivinayak Naik was the presiding officer for the election.
All 25 councillors were present and Kritesh Gaonkar secured 13 votes, while Nilesh Navelkar secured 12 votes.
Speaking to the media, Presiding officer Siddhivinayak Naik said elections were conducted peacefully and as per the procedures, with Gaonkar being declared the winner.
Nilesh Navelkar was magnanimous in defeat and wished Gaonkar on his new assignment.
“It was a neck-to-neck battle and we feel that former MMC chairperson Deepak Naik of our panel has done a lot for this Council. I must say that today we need development and I wish Gaonkar all the very best,” Navelkar told reporters.
Meanwhile, newly elected Chairperson Kritesh Gaonkar said all ruling panel councillors had got together to work for the people of Vasco, adding that some councillors had joined their panel as there was no development in the port town.
“Now only two years are left and we don’t want to waste any more time. We will immediately begin with development works as the city is already looking like it’s many years back in time. Last time we elected the Chairperson, she was a compromise candidate. She was not a leader of sorts. This time we 13 councillors have united and my group has full faith in me. I won’t let anyone down and will work for all the 25 councillors,” said Gaonkar.
Responding to allegations by former MMC chairperson Bhavna Nanoskar, Gaonkar said that allegations and counter allegations are a part of politics.
“Immature people can talk anything. Allegations have to be proved. I am today the chairperson of all 25 councillors and I am not bound by wards but by jurisdiction. I will take up development works in all 25 wards in the council,” said Gaonkar.
