PONDA
In yet another embarrassment to the BJP, rebel candidate Shantaram Kolvekar defeated the BJP candidate Ritesh Naik, son of Congress MLA Ravi Naik, to get elected as chairperson of Ponda Municipal Council (PMC) on Tuesday.
Kolvekar, who is also president of the Ponda BJP Block, won by 8-7 votes and had received the support of the councillors backed by the MGP and Goa Forward, while Naik had the support of the BJP-backed councillors.
Later speaking to reporters, Kolvekar insisted that he is still loyal to the BJP.
“I fought the election on the request of councillors with a similar ideology and party leaders were informed about this. I thank everyone who voted for me and I will try to give equal justice to all wards in Ponda," said Kolvekar.
He expressed his gratitude to former PMC chairperson Vyankatesh Naik for gaining the support of 5 MGP-backed councillors.
“The way forward is to take everyone into confidence, regardless of which party they belong to," he added.
Nilesh Dhaigodkar and PMC Chief Officer Pradip Naik supervised the elections while Ponda MLA Ravi Naik was also present during the election.
