A day after a no-confidence motion was filed against newly elect ed Davorlim-Dicarpale sarpanch Menino João Colaco, Navelim BJP MLA Ulhas Tuenkar on Friday denied any involvement in the controversy, rejecting claims that he influenced the election outcome or the events that followed. “I do not interfere in panchayat politics. Some leaders, for their personal political gain, are trying to label me as being behind the BJP-backed candidate,” Tuenkar clarified while speaking to the media. “The candidate belongs to the Scheduled Caste community. I have no dif ferences with any panch member from the Navelim constituency — I treat everyone equally.” Tuenkar’s remarks came after the Margao Congress alleged that the BJP was behind the no-confidence motion, which was sub mitted just hours after Thursday’s panchayat election. The Congress had termed the development an attempt to destabilise the local body and un dermine democratic rep resentation. Meanwhile, Vidyadhar Arlekar, the losing candi date in Thursday’s election, expressed gratitude to the party for having nominated him and said he accepted the result in good faith. “I belong to a backward caste, and I believe that individ uals from a higher caste played a role in my defeat,” he said, without attributing blame to any party. “I re main confident that the BJP will win the no-confidence motion.” Sarpanch Menino Cola co, who won the election with seven votes, is now facing a no-confidence mo tion from a section of the panchayat. He said he was taken aback by how quick ly the situation changed. “Seven members voted for me, and I was confident of becoming the sarpanch. I don’t understand how things changed within a few hours. It looks like there is pressure on some one to change their stance, but I’m confident of get ting re-elected,” he said. The no-confidence motion, moved with in hours of Colaco tak ing charge, has revealed deep divisions within the Davorlim-Dicarpale Panchayat. The election itself was marked by tense exchanges, with the pro ceedings briefly halted and later resumed amid disagreements between rival groups. The unfolding situation has heightened tensions in the panchayat, with both factions trading claims of pressure and interference. While the Congress has alleged political manipu lation, the BJP has firmly denied any role in the con troversy
Davorlim-Dicarpale Panchayat in Turmoil: No-Confidence Motion Filed Against Newly Elected Sarpanch
