PERNEM
Changes in the reservation of wards to the upcoming Pernem Municipal Council (PMC) elections are expected to affect the prospectus of some local leaders planning to contest the elections. The wards now reserved for women are Ward 5, presently represented by Upendra Deshprabhu, and Ward 6, presently represented by former PMC deputy chairperson Gajanan Sawal Desai. Incidentally, both Deshprabhu and Desai were earlier close associates of Deputy CM Babu Ajgaonkar but they have not been in good terms with Ajgaonkar of late. Other reservations have been declared in Ward 3 (women), Ward 9 (SC) and Wards 1, 4 and 5 (OBC). Despite the reservation of their wards, both Deshprabhu and Desai were optimistic of winning the civic elections.
“I am in touch with people of all 10 wards and so, I don’t have to worry much. I’ll announce my decision in the next two days,” said Deshprabhu. Desai claimed he was aware of the reservation in his ward and has decided to field his wife instead. “My wife will benefit from my development works,” said Desai. Although the elections will be on party lines, a number of supporters of Ajgaonkar are planning to contest the PMC elections.
