MAPUSA
After a five-year hiatus, the former strong man of Calangute, Joseph Sequeira is expected to be elected unopposed as the sarpanch of the coastal village even as 33 panchayats are all set to elect new sarpanchas and deputies in Bardez on Monday.
All eyes are on the neighbouring Anjuna-Caisua panchayat, another key village along the coast, where the contest for the top post is turning out to be an interesting battle of wits with former minister and BJP stalwart Dayanand Mandrekar set to play a key role.
While the cards are stacked in favour of Congress MLA Delilah Lobo whose panels are expected to take control of at least four panchayats in Siolim constituency, the BJP is expected to hoist their flag in Verla-Canca and Anjuna-Caisua.
Similarly, in the Calangute constituency, panels owing allegiance to Congress MLA Michael Lobo will get their sarpanchas and deputies elected in three panchayats – Candolim, Arpora-Nagoa and Parra – while Joseph Sequeira, who is currently with the BJP, is set to get elected as the sarpanch of Calangute.
Blaize Fernandes is expected to be elected as the sarpanch of Candolim while Roshan Redkar will be the sarpanch of Arpora-Nagoa.
In Parra, Daniel Lobo son of Michael and Delilah Lobo is expected to be elected as the sarpanch.
In Tivim, the panels backed by Fisheries Minister Nilkanth Halarnkar are expected to elect sarpanchas in all the panchayats except in Sirsaim.
Similarly, in the Porvorim constituency, the panels affiliated to Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte are expected to elect sarpanchas in Penha-de-Franca and Socorro panchayats while Salvador-do-Mundo is expected to elect a sarpanch belonging to an independent group.
In the Saligao constituency, local MLA Kedar Naik will foist sarpanchas in Reis-Magos, Nerul and Pilerne, while a keen contest is on cards in Saligao, Guirim and Sangolda.
While Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira is expected to get sarpanchas elected in Aldona and Pomburpa-Olaulim, former BJP MLA Glenn Ticlo is expected to hold sway in Bastora, Moira, Nachinola and Ucassaim.
