Team Herald
PANJIM: With the BJP-led panel backing out of the mayoral elections, first time councillors Vithal Chopdekar and Asmita Kerkar were on Wednesday elected unopposed as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Panjim.
Both were administered oath of office by Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) Commissioner Ajit Roy in the presence of all councillors.
Speaking to reporters, Chopdekar said, “My main priorities for now will be clearing the flooding points and rain drains in the city before the monsoon. Development of Panjim will be stressed. Babush (Atanasio Monserrate) has supported us always.”
He added, “I will take guidance of former mayor Surendra Furtado and former Panjim MLA Siddharth Kuncalienkar. Another priority will be to deal with the garbage and implementing the pay parking.”
He further said that CCP would pay attention to the direction of development of the city and also make it clean and green, and pending files would be cleared on priority
“I admit that I have no experience in running the administration of the CCP, but I will gain it in due course after assuming the duties of mayor,” Chopdekar added.
Kerkar said that her priority is development of the city and clearing the flooding points and rain drains before the monsoon.
The opposition panel backed by the BJP with 13 members did not field any candidate. Former Panjim MLA Siddharth Kuncalienkar said the party and the ruling group in the CCP had arrived at a consensus on the candidature of Chopdekar and Kerkar.
Monserrate said he would ensure that the manifesto released by him during the last election was implemented. “I thank former Panjim MLA Siddharth Kunkolienkar for not opposing the candidatures of Chopdekar and Kerkar. Now we have got a new person and it is good that everyone has supported him,” Monserrate said.
