Old guards back at the helm in Cuncolim
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, NOV 6
Cuncolim Municipal Chairperson Devendra Desai and his deputy Landry Mascarenhas are to be the next Chairperson and vice chairperson of the Cuncolim civic body.
The names of Devendra and Landry was proposed by Cuncolim MLA and Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao which found support amongst the Councillors-elect at a meeting held at a resort at Varca on Saturday.
While Devendra would occupy the coveted post for one year and half, Landry would take over the Civic reigns for the next one year and half. The balance term of two years would be shared by four-time Councillor Prof Laxman Naik and Anthony Vaz.
As far as the post of vice-chairperson is concerned, Landy would occupy the post for the first one year and would then pave the way for Premdeep Desai to take over the reigns for the next one year, while Bhanudas Gaonkar would follow Premdeep the third year.
The Urban Development Minister has kept everyone guessing as to who would occupy the post of vice-Chairperson for the remaining two years, saying that the post would be filled up solely based on the performance of the new faces in the Civic body.
Though Alemao said that he has worked out the arrangement taking into account the seniority of the Councillors-elect, sources say the Urban Development Minister has also taken into consideration that this being the election year.
“I did not field a panel in Cuncolim, but had allowed the people to elect the candidates of their choice. There’s one year and half left for the next Assembly polls and I am indebted to you for reposing faith in me to decide the leadership issue,” Alemao told the Councillors-elect at the Varca-based resort.
The lone BJP Councillor-elect and BJP Cuncolim Mandal Chief Naguesh Chithari told newsmen that he would led his full support to the elected body and Urban Development Minister on the plank of development. “I have decided to back the new Council and the MLA for the all round development of the Town. IN return, I have asked Alemao to usher development of my ward”, he said.
Devendra Desai thanked the Councillors-elect, Urban Development Minister and Yuri Alemao for proposing his candidature for the top post and assured to live up to their expectations.
In his brief address, Councillor-elect Laxman Naik he would stand by the Urban Development Minister in the development of the Town and thanked Alemao for proposing his candidature for the post of Chairperson after Devendra and Landry.
