Panaji (Goa): Councilor Uday Madkaikar has decided to walk out of the Mayor’s post race with the ruling panel to hold another meeting to decide a new name. “I have decided not to contest for the Mayor’s post due to personal reasons. I am thankful to councilors for nominating me,” Madkaikar said. 

The ruling panel in the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) on Wednesday had unanimously approved and nominated Madkaikar as their candidate for the mayor’s post. The final approval was then given by panel leader Atanasio  Monserrate. 

Elections for the post of Mayor and Deputy Mayor are scheduled on March 14 and Monserate has now decided to decide another name little before the election day. 

On Wednesday, the decision was taken at a special meeting attended by 15 of the ruling panel councilors. However, current Mayor Surendra Furtado and his wife Ruth, also a councillor, were not invited for the meeting. 

Monserrate does not want to nominate the sitting Mayor or his wife Ruth for the election this time, giving a chance to new faces. 

Monserrate had earlier confirmed that Asmita Kerkar had been finalized as candidate for the post of Deputy Mayor.