MARGAO: Aquem Baixo Sarpanch Siddesh Bhagat on Monday tendered his resignation protesting the alleged “discriminatory” behaviour towards the local bodies by the government.
He said he would be a part of an organisation that would take up the issues concerning Goa and the Goans, which seems to be his campaign for the next Assembly elections.
Briefing media persons, he said, “Right from the time he was elected as sarpanch there have been regular attempts to dethrone him.”
“Aquem Baixo saw actual ‘mahaghatbandan’ in Goa as Congress, BJP and even Goa Forward Party joining hands to topple me,” he said.
Announcing that Deputy Sarpanch Sophia Diniz would also follow the suit, he said the ruling six members would remain united and somebody from their group would fill up the vacant posts.
“Nobody can claim any credit for the development but I am resigning to bring to light the discriminatory attitude of the government, which kept delaying our panchayat proposals only because I used to speak against the government,” he said.
He said their group would continue with some measures such as issuing Residence and Income Certificates the same day the applications are received and added that if need be he would return as sarpanch.
He said, “He wanted to dedicate time for the new movement which will be launched shortly. It will be all Goa based and will take up issues that are relevant to Goa and the Goans. We shall help and assist the government wherever we can, we shall also not hesitate to castigate the government when required”.
“The government had promised us common cadre that has not happened and has failed to increase our emoluments. It is encouraging honest and sincere panchayat members to turn corrupt,” he alleged.
Replying to a question whether he would be contesting the next Assembly elections, he said, “We shall see when the time comes.”
