Ponda MLA Lavu Mamledar
Q: Being a first-time MLA, what has been your experience and the support you got from BJP to carry out developmental works?
Mamledar: I had ventured into politics to work for society. I am a statesman. My experience in getting works done in this coalition government was not very good. The BJP did not support me to take up new projects. I had sought permission to repair the sports complex through the PWD, but it was not granted. The Indoor stadium is in dilapidated condition, but the government is not bothered to pay heed to my request. Even the traffic management project, for which Rs 25 crore was sanctioned out of Rs 100 crore, has been halted due to political opposition. There are many such instances where they have created obstructions for me.
Q: Can you name the projects undertaken by you? And who helped you for these projects?
Mamledar: The Sewerage Treatment Plant, the work of which has started, and the new Khandepar bridge under construction. Also, several roads and Bhandaras in Ponda constituency. Only WRD Minister Dayanand Mandrekar and PWD Minister Sudin Dhavalikar helped me to achieve progress in the city. Even Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar did not help much. The BJP did not help me to develop Ponda, except for Mandrekar.
Q: Then how can you claim that you have done works worth Rs 750 crore?
Mamledar: (Pauses for sometime). Those works are by the WRD and PWD. Though the chief minister gave financial sanction to these works, he should indicate how he helped me for the development of poor people. Did he help me resolve the 'Sopo' tax issue? Vendors are still suffering.
Q: Your relation with the Ponda municipal council has always been frosty. Who has been your greater political threat, the BJP councillors or Ravi Naik?
Mamledar: The PMC have never supported me. Be it Kranti Maidan work or any other project. They have always opposed works proposed by me.
I don’t face a threat from anyone. I was offered a bungalow worth Rs 2 crore in Porvorim to back out of the 2007 election, but I didn’t. I have full confidence in my abilities. People know about my clean character and behaviour.
Q: Compared to Ravi Naik, do you admit that you could bring in very few projects to Ponda?
Mamledar: The projects which he had commissioned were either demolished or reconstructed, or they were of no use. The market complex is not useful to business activities. There was no need to demolish the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, which wasted crores of rupees of tax payers. There was also no need to demolish the ID hospital.
Q: What are the new challenges you will face, if elected again?
Mamledar: To provide employment and uplift socio, economical condition of the people. Education for all is my motto. Mere constructing roads, bridges and dams is not development. Politicians should think beyond that.
OPPOSITION: FORMER MLA RAVI NAIK
Q: As four-time MLA, what have you done for the constituency you represented, specially Ponda?
Naik: I have represented Marcaim and Ponda constituencies. In both constituencies, I have done several works during my tenure, something that the present MLA couldn't maintain the pace. With my efforts, all offices came in one administrative building at Ponda. The other projects included the Rajiv Gandhi Kala Mandir, police station building, fire station, swimming pool, sports complex and the Sub District Hospital, while the Co-operative Bhavan and guest house at Curti at both projects yet to be inaugurated. Besides, I sought land for the Kranti Maidan.
Besides Ponda, the Primary Health Centre, ground and schools in Marcaim were constructed with my efforts. I was also involved in acquisition of 5 lakh square metres of land for the industrial purpose.
Q: How do you assess the performance of the MLA in Ponda constituency?
Naik: He has totally failed as MLA and I don't know why people had elected him. He failed to bring new projects and funds for them.
Q: In Ponda, the main opposition to the Ponda MLA was from the BJP, its alliance partner. The Congress rarely spoke out on issues in the constituency. Why was the Congress a silent spectator?
Naik: Though I got defeated the last time, I haven’t stopped my social work. People know what I have done for Ponda. It is not that we were silent, we have raised our voice wherever required.
Q: Do you plan to return to power?
Naik: Of course, yes. The last time, I got defeated as all parties had worked against me.
Q: Do all parties include also Congress?
(Ravi Naik smiles)
Q: What are your chances of reclaiming the Ponda seat?
Naik: Cent per cent, I am back in the assembly. Those who had voted against me the last time are now with me.
Q: Let us assume you win the 2017 election, what will be your plans for Ponda?
Naik: I will emphasize on employment generation and traffic management. I will construct a road from Zareshwar to the bypass road, which was planned and now held up in red tape. I will take up works which will benefit the masses.
