Gaonkar samaj members elected on the committee of Velus Ravalnath Devasthan.
Photo Credits: Uday Sawant
VALPOI
Velus village's Gaonkar community has completely dominated the election of the executive committee of the famous Ravalnath Devasthan at Velus. Officials said that the objections of the Gurav samaj was completely illegal and the election process could not be stopped. Mahajans of Gaonkar and Gurav community were present in large numbers for the elections where a police team had to deployed.
It is learned that elections were scheduled to be held within three years for appointing administrative committees for all the temples. Elections for many temples in Sattari taluka were held without any objection. However, for the last several years, the election was considered important due to differences between the Gaonkar and Gurav communities of Velus Devasthan . After the election process started this morning, the Gurav community strongly objected to the elections. Gurudas Gavas and Talathi Tulshidas Mandrekar, special officers present at the venue, gave detailed information about the election saying it was legal and cannot be stopped. The election process has been going on for the last two months. A public notice in this regard has already been issued. Similarly, the list of eligible mahajans had already been announced. However, the Gurav community had not raised any objection in this regard. Gurdas Gavas clarified that it is illegal to object to this now that the election was underway.
Meanwhile, despite giving detailed information about the election, the Gurav community tried to raise objections and demanded that the election be stopped. The chaos ended when the police were called and ordered to evict the Gurav community from the polling booths after which the election process began.
After the election process was started, nominations were filed on behalf of Gaonkar Samaj for various posts. Only candidates from Gaonkar Samaj filed nominations for many posts and in the end unopposed selection of eligible candidates was declared. Rajaram Gaonkar has been appointed as the chairman of the selected committee. The other office bearers of the committee are as follows: President Rajaram Satu Gaonkar, Vice President-India Kashinath Gaonkar, Secretary Jayaram Gaonkar, Joint Secretary Mahadev Krishna Gaonkar, Treasurer-Tulshidas Ganesh Gaonkar, Deputy Treasurer Balkrishna Sajro Gaonkar, Attorney Babaji Anand Gaonkar and Co-Attorney Nitesh Kashinath Gaonkar.
Meanwhile, Tulshidas Manjrekar and Gurudas Gavas were contacted in this regard and they said that the election was held in the temple as directed by the mamlatdar of Sattari. The election process has been carried out legally. Some communities tried to create chaos but the election was not adversely affected. He said that the list of the selected committee will be submitted to the Magistrate officer.
Meanwhile, the Gaonkar community members expressed happiness after being elected to all the posts. All the elected candidates were congratulated with wreaths.
