CUNCOLIM: A verbal fight broke out between Cuncolim MLA Clafacio Dias and a ruling councillor on Thursday evening during a meeting that the MLA convened to discuss the issue of market vendors.
During the course of the discussion, the MLA put forward some suggestions to solve the issue of market vendors. While the chief officer and municipal chairperson welcomed the suggestions, a councillor questioned the MLA’s authority to interfere in the affairs of the municipality.
The councillor argued that the MLA has no role to play in the affairs of the council. He claimed that the municipal chairman is like the chief minister of the town, a councillor is like an MLA, while the chief officer is like the chief secretary of the town.
When Dias questioned said councillor what is the role of an MLA within his constituency, the latter could not answer the same.
Later, the MLA told the councillor, “I am aware of my rights and duties.” He also criticised the councillor’s behaviour as childish.
Later, speaking to the media, Dias said, “The councillor must read the Constitution of India. If he does so, he would understand the role and duties of an MLA.”
He said that he is not interfering in the affairs of the municipality; nor is he interested in politicising the issue, but only wants to help the council to resolve the issues.
The MLA also informed that he did not invite the disputing councillor to the meeting. “He came for the meeting without my invitation and tried to interfere with my duties,” Dias said.
