VASCO, NOV 8
As the date to elect new chairperson of Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) is fast approaching, Revenue Minister Jose Philip D’Souza is reportedly bargaining hard with the newly elected councillors to install his wife, Neny, as chairperson.
According to sources, horse-trading activities have commenced to buy the crucial votes to prove majority to install their chairperson.
The newly formed ‘Peoples Panel’ comprises 13 councilors, including five former chairpersons – Carlos Almeida, Sharad Chopdekar, Manesh Arolkar, Shekhar Khadapkar and Saifullah Khan, besides Councilors Krishana Salkar, Sudesh Kolgaonkar, Tukaram Redkar, Suchita Shirodkar, Bhavana Bhosle, Sumita Usgaonkar, Sarita Palkar and Tara Kerkar.
The ‘People Panel’ has been supported by Mormugao BJP MLA Milind Naik, Cortalim MLA Mauvin Godinho and a businessman from Vasco with the sole purpose to ensure that D’Souza’s kin is kept out from occupying the chairperson’s post.
The D’Souza-backed group has seven councilors, including his wife, Neny, and his elder brother, Pascaol, and Jerry Fernandes, Sunita Landez, Lavina D’Souza, Fiola Rego and Pramenand Nanoskar.
Sources informed that desperate attempt to lure councilors from both the sides has given rise to horse-trading, as one of the councilors was even offered Rs 25 lakh to break away from the ‘People Panel’.
Both the groups are however confident of their councilors being elected as chairperson on November 11.
“We are intact and confident of forming the next council,” said Councilor Manesh Arolkar.
Councilor Jerry Fernandes of the D’Souza-backed group also said that he is confident that their panel would get through.
Meanwhile, the Director of Municipal Administration (DMA) has appointed Deputy Collector (Rent Controller) Rajan Satardekar as the presiding officer for the election on Nov 11.
