NT News Service
Margao Oct 27: The Congress-supported Madgaum Vikas Samiti received a fillip with councillors, Mr Raju Naik (Ward 5) and Mr Johnson Fernandes (Ward 14) pledging their support, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party-backed Margao Democratic Front refused to acknowledge defeat and claimed that its original group of eight was still intact.
Addressing a press conference with Mr Raju Naik and Mr Fernandes in tow, the Goa pradesh Congress committee general-secretary, Mr Vijai Sardessai disclosed that with the support of the two councillors, the MVS was inching towards obtaining a clear majority. Under the present scheme of things, the Congress has upper-hand with 10 councillors. Though not acknowledged by the BJP, its strength is down to seven.
Mr Fernandes had contested as an Independent. This leaves three other Independents pledging their support to the former Fatorda MLA, Mr Luis Alex Cardozo. This, however, leaves ample scope for confusion, as their support to the BJP would result in yet another tie at ten councillors each. A point to be understood is that the BJP group still claims to be united at eight. If this is to be believed then, the MDF, with the three Independents, would increase its kitty with 11 members obtaining a single majority.
Mr Naik is his statement stated that in keeping with the need to develop and attain progress of Ward 5, that forms part of the much-neglected Fatorda constituency, he decided to strengthen the hands of Mr Churchill Alemao and Mr Sardessai.
They have created a master-plan for Fatorda which was hitherto not seen, he said. Mr Naik opined that such tangible development should always be welcomed and it was for this purpose that he decided to support the combination that aims to have a stable municipal council for Margao.
I promise that with help from the state government I will deliver the promises made to my voters during the elections, he stated.
Reacting to the news, the Fatorda MLA, Mr Damodar Naik asserted that the MDF was still with eight councilors and was poised to form the council.
Things will crystallise on October 31 and Ms Kamlini Painginkar will without doubt be our choice for chairperson, Mr Damodar Naik reiterated. The Fatorda MLA opined that Mr Raju Naik (who he claimed was still with the MDF) was perhaps pressurised into making such a statement.
On the issue Mr Raju Naiks ward remaining undeveloped, the MLA stated that it was not difficult for a councillor from the opposition to carry to developmental works in a ward. Funds are equally distributed, he said. Mr Damu Naik opined that the councillor was elected, as he was known to be with the MDF.
He was supported by the BJP. How then can he be a Congressman today, Mr Damodar Naik questioned.
Mr Sardessai, on the other hand, informed that a meeting of the MVS was held along with all the original eight councillors and Independent councillor, Mr Fernandes today. The meeting also attended by the Power Minister, Mr Digamber Kamat discussed all aspects of council formation. Mr Sardessai informed that no names were discussed for the post of chairperson or deputy chairperson as this had been decided to be done only following a complete majority.
We are already well-placed and progressing towards a majority, he revealed.
On question of a new person heading the municipality, Mr Sardessai said, A lot of progress has been achieved since October 24 (the day results were out) and all possibilities are open. However, sources revealed that the meeting had in fact discussed probable names to head the council. Though the name of Mr Johny Crasto reportedly figured prominently nothing was finalised. The issue of running the council on rotation was also allegedly dropped amid fears that such an exercise would lead to corruption. Other top contenders in the race include Mr Savio Coutinho and Mr Ghanashyam Shirodkar.
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