The citizens of Margao were elated, on the arrival of news that Gonzaco Rebello had tendered his resignation. It conveyed an impression that realization had finally dawned on Rebello that it was immoral and unethical for him to continue as chairperson, in view of the wide public glare at his direct involvement in an apparent illegality.
To everyone’s horror, Rebello withdrew his resignation letter, a day prior to the hearing of his petition by the Minister for Urban Development. A very shameful and disgraceful act indeed. It further demonstrated that he enjoyed the confidence of the other councillors to continue as a chairperson. It further disproved the reason cited by him in his resignation letter – non-cooperation by the chief officer. If the chief officer was not co-operating with him, there was no need for him to withdraw his resignation and continue as the chairperson.
This misadventure of Rebello has caused immense harm to the city as the work of desilting of drains and other municipal work has remained on the backburner.
On Tuesday I was informed that a petition expressing no confidence has been filed against Rebello. To my mind the success of the no-confidence motion will not bring any relief to the woes of the common man.
One cannot but notice, the systemic failure in the functioning of the municipal council and the incompetency of the councillors in finding solutions to the problems of the city. All the council members have time and again falsely claimed the non-cooperation by the chief officer as an alibi to relieve themselves of their duties and responsibilities. If this is the state of affairs, how is it expected that a new chairperson will function effectively, when the chief officer continues to remain the same? It means that the town will continue to suffer even after the election of a new chairperson.
Therefore, in order to carry on the smooth functioning of the duties and functions of the Margao Municipal Council, there is an urgent and dire need for the appointment of a municipal administrator by the State Government to manage the affairs of the municipality till the election of the new municipal council.
As to allegations that Rebello consulted me with reference to his illegal construction, he requested me to represent him. However, I told him that I do not handle such civil cases, much less before a chief officer of a municipal council, and that I cannot handle his case for him. He came only once. I neither advised him nor acted in any manner on his behalf.
The allegations made by Rebello are a show of extreme frustration and desperation and have been made with the intention of discouraging me from my movement against the illegalities of the Margao Municipal Council.
