the goan I network
PONDA
While BJP Industries Minister Mahadev Naik lost to veteran Congress leader Subhash Shirodkar in Shiroda, former chief minister Ravi Naik defeated sitting MGP Lavu Mamledar, who was placed a distant fourth in Ponda taluka.
In Shiroda, it was the case of a former PA losing to his boss, as two-time MLA Mahadev Naik could not secure his hat-trick of victories.
Mahadev Naik’s 6286 votes and MGP’s Abhay Prabhu 5815 votes were split to enable Shirodkar win after he polled 11,156 votes. The other candidates who did not make much impact were Molu Velip of AAP (586), Nilesh Gaonkar (447) and Diya Shetkar (140), while NOTA votes were pegged at 194.
Subhash Shirodkar, a six-time legislator, expressed happiness on winning
the election.
“Congress workers worked sincerely and their hard work brought victory for me,” he told The Goan.
While Mahadev Naik did not answer calls made to him, BJP Shiroda block president Suraj Naik admitted that severing ties with MGP resulted in their defeat. “The MGP candidate damaged our victory as a division of votes took place.”
It was a similar story in Ponda constituency as a split in votes led to the dismal performance of Lavu Mamledar, who was placed a distant fourth.
Ravi Naik polled 9,502 votes, while the other leading candidates in the fray were Sunil Desai of BJP (6492), Independent candidate Rajesh Verekar (4529) and Lavoo Mamledar of MGP (3796). Mulla Muzawar of AAP could poll only 522 votes, while NOTA votes were 254.
Ravi Naik said he was pleased by the results, but added that victory had become routine for him. “For me, this is not a new thing. Though I was defeated earlier, my work in the society had not stopped.”
Reacting to his defeat, Mamledar said it was unexpected for him. “I don’t know how this happened. People had promised to support us, but words did not turn into reality,” Mamledar said.
Asked if severing of ties with BJP had affected his victory, Mamledar replied: “No. Even if there was an alliance with BJP, they would have not worked for me. The ties were damaged since I became MLA. They would have had indulged in ‘cross voting’.”
Contacting BJP candidate Sunil Desai turned futile. However, when contacted Vishwanath Dalvi, BJP Ponda bock president, conceded the defeat. “Had the alliance of BJP-MGP continued by allotting this seat to us, we would have definitely won. But in 2022 election we will win this seat.” he said.
