Team Herald
VASCO: Mary Mascarenhas, an opposition panch, was elected as the new Chicalim sarpanch on Friday after a member of the ruling group accidentally voted for her. However, the ruling group moved a no-confidence motion against her within two hours.
Mascarenhas and Prajyoti Kudalkar were in the fray for the sarpanch’s post, which had fallen vacant after Rubina Rodrigues resigned last month. The election was held through a secret ballot. Mascarenhas, who is part of the five-member opposition group, polled six votes, while her opponent from the six-member ruling group polled five votes.
After meeting Dabolim MLA Mauvin Godinho, the ruling group comprising of Nilam Naik, Prajyoti Kudalkar, Anita Vaz, Seby Pereira, Raul D’Costa and Deputy Sarpanch Kamlaprasad Yadav marched to the Mormugao Block Development Office and moved a no-confidence motion against Mascarenhas before the latter could even celebrate her victory.
“It was confirmed that Prajyoti would win, but due to some confusion, one of our members wrongly voted for Mary. The no-confidence motion has been signed by all six panchas and it has been presented to the Mormugao BDO. We are waiting for the next election,” said Yadav.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters, Mascarenhas claimed that she was shocked with the results, but as the members had given her an opportunity to lead, she would work towards undertaking pending developmental works.
in the village.
“Firstly, I am thankful to the almighty god, with whose blessings I became the sarpanch for the second time in this tenure. I will now stress on completing the pending developmental works in all 11 wards. My main focus will be on construction of gutters, rains and lifting of garbage from time to time,” said Mascarenhas.
