PANJIM: Just 24 hours after Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar’s wife Janita Madkaikar lost the race to be Sarpanch of Old Goa, a no-confidence motion was moved against Nilkanth Bhomkar who was elected sarpanch.
Denying any illegal act on his part, Power Minister Pandurang Madkaikar alleged that the Returning Officer was hand-in-glove with the Bhomkar group. He said he protested the illegal act as he had five panch members out of nine.
“The Returning Officer was hand-in-glove with Bhomkar’s group and I have complained to the Director of Panchayat and even with the Chief Minister,” Madkaikar said. Madkaikar explained that panch member Tulsidas Kavlekar was given Form II instead of V by the Returning Officer and that resulted in the confusion.
Madkaikar added, “I didn’t do anything against the democratic setup. I interfered because the sarpanch candidate was my wife and I was leading the group in the panchayat. If I will not protest than who would have protested against the illegality?”
He said he has not pressurised any authority or any officer to make the election null and void. “As we have a majority, a no-confidence motion was moved against Nilkanth Bhomkar. If he has the majority than let him prove during the sarpanch election,” the minister said.
The Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch election was held on June 19 and Bhomkar was elected sarpanch while Ankita Painguinkar was unopposed as Deputy Sarpanch.
Within 24 hours a no-confidence motion was moved against Bhomkar which was signed by five panch members. Directorate of Panchayat has now decided to hold fresh election of Sarpanch on June 24.
