THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
Several former councillors in Mapusa who enjoy senior positions in the BJP hierarchy have managed to skip the reservation fallout, even as quite a few first-time former councillors had their political career nipped in the bud.
The Ward 7 of former councillor Franky Carvalho, who is the Vice President of the North Goa District BJP Committee, has been retained in the general category for the second term running.
Similarly, Ward 17 represented by former councillor Rajsingh Rane, who is the Secretary of the North Goa District BJP Committee, is also retained as general for the second term.
Coincidentally, Ward 12 of the former chairperson Sandip Falari, who is the state executive member of the BJP, has also been retained as general for the second term.
Interestingly, Ward 9 of the former outgoing chairperson Ryan Braganza, who is a permanent invitee of the BJP state committee, has also been declared as general ward yet again.
While former Mapusa BJP Mandal President Rohan Kavlekar may have not been as lucky as his ward has been reserved for women, he has the option of fielding his wife in the ward. Incidentally, Kavlekar’s wife was earlier once elected as a councillor of Mapusa.
Yet another former Mapusa BJP Mandal President Damodar Lanjekar can thank his stars as his Ward 14, which was represented by wife Deepti Langekar in the outgoing council, has been kept in general category this term.
The present Mapusa BJP Mandal President Sushant Harmalkar’s Ward 4 has been deftly reserved for women giving him the option to field his next of kin to contest in the ward, while his neighbouring Ward 3 has been reserved for OBC providing him a chance to contest from that ward.
Former councillors Tushar Tople, Martin Carrasco, Chandrashekar Benkar and Sanjay Mishal who have been active in their wards but did not have godfathers lost out to the reservation.
“Clearly, the reservations have been done in a way to protect their own men. There is absolutely no level-playing field in the process. We will definitely knock the doors of the court,” said Vijay Bhike, North Goa District Congress President.
