MAYOR SAGAR NAIK LIKELY TO CONTEST CIVIC POLL THIS YEAR

VASHI: It now seems that a member of the Naik family will contest the upcoming civic elections. Former minister Ganesh Naik has stated that only his core family members will not contest, paving the way for mayor Sagar Naik, his nephew, to enter the fray once again.

Ganesh Naik said, “Since Sanjeev has been an MP, he will naturally not be interested in contesting a civic poll, while Sandeep is an MLA. Their mother has never been interested in politics.”

“This decision not to contest is for my core family members. My brother Dnyaneshwar Naik and his son Sagar as well as my other relatives are free to take their decision. While I would have wanted them not to enter the fray, I cannot force them in a democracy,” said Ganesh Naik.

Ganesh Naik’s declaration now paves the way for Sagar Naik to once again contest the civic polls. He could be fielded from the Khairne-Bonkode ward from where had been elected unopposed the last time.

Meanwhile, there are reports of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) planning to field Naik’s late brother Tukaram Naik’s daughter against the wife of her brother Vaibhav Naik, who had earlier parted ways with Ganesh Naik.

SAGAR NAIK COULD BE FIELDED FROM THE KHAIRNE-BONKODE WARD FROM WHERE HAD BEEN ELECTED UNOPPOSED LAST TIME