VASCO: Chicalim Sarpanch Neelima Naik on Tuesday survived a no confidence motion in a dramatic fashion when one of the rebel panchas abstained from voting. This left all five opposition panchas who had moved the no confidence motion again Naik in surprise.
On February 14, six panchas, Anita Vaz, Marie Mascarenhas, Francisco Nunes, Rubina Rodrigues, Veronica Andrade D’Souza and Hemant Fadte, of the eleven-member panchayat had moved the no confidence motion against Naik.
According to information, the unexpected but high voltage drama took place during voting for the no confidence motion.
As per the plan five members from the opposition camp reached the panchayat office to cast their vote but were surprised to find the sixth member – Anita Vaz — who was a signatory to the no confidence motion against Naik missing. They tried to contact Vaz but the attempts turned futile, leading to the realisation that Vaz had changed sides.
“Considering that the panchayat polls are in May, we five opposition members had no interest in dislodging Naik, however after ruling panch member Vaz requested us for support with the plea that she should be given opportunity to become sarpanch as she belongs to ST community, we decided to support and give her a chance to become sarpanch, however now today she herself remained absent,” Francisco Nunes told reporters.
Neelima Naik claimed that it was only due to the blessings of God that she was able to survive no trust motion.
